Targeted spinal stimulation to restore arm and hand function after cervical spinal cord injury
Rehabilitation from Spinal Cord Injury Using Targeted, Activity-Dependent Intraspinal Stimulation
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · NIH-11144292
Using short, timed spinal electrical pulses linked to attempted arm movements to help people with neck-level spinal cord injuries regain hand and arm control.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11144292 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are building a neuroprosthetic that links movement-related signals to tiny stimulators in the spinal cord to strengthen the remaining pathways controlling the arms and hands. In laboratory work with rats that have cervical spinal cord injuries, the device delivers stimulation only when the animal tries to move, encouraging neural circuits to rewire and improve motor output. The team pairs this activity-triggered stimulation with physical rehabilitation and tracks changes in movement and neural signals over time. The goal is to refine the approach so the results can guide a future human clinical trial.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with neck-level (cervical) spinal cord injuries who have impaired arm or hand movement but retain some voluntary muscle or neural signals would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Those with complete cervical injuries that leave no remaining motor signals or people whose loss of arm/hand function is due to non-spinal causes are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help people with cervical spinal cord injuries regain useful hand and arm movements and increase independence.
How similar studies have performed: Other spinal and epidural stimulation approaches have helped some patients, and this activity-triggered intraspinal method has shown promising results in animal studies but has limited human testing so far.
Where this research is happening
SEATTLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON — SEATTLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PERLMUTTER, STEVE I — UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- Study coordinator: PERLMUTTER, STEVE I
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.