Understanding Brain Activity to Help People Wake Up After Injury or Anesthesia
Mechanisms and Functions of Cortical Activity to Restore Behavior
['FUNDING_R01'] · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · NIH-11113977
This research explores how brain activity changes when someone wakes up after a brain injury, anesthesia, or altered consciousness from conditions like COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11113977 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
We are working to better understand the brain's processes during the transition from a coma-like state to wakefulness. Our previous findings suggest that stimulating a specific brain area, called the anterior nucleus gigantocellularis (aNGC), can help promote arousal. We believe that activating multiple pathways through the aNGC could trigger widespread brain activity, leading to full wakefulness and restored movement. This work aims to identify common brain patterns that track recovery of purposeful movements, which could help us measure consciousness more precisely. Ultimately, we hope to find new ways to help people regain consciousness and function after various brain challenges.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients at this stage, but future clinical applications would target individuals recovering from acquired brain injury, prolonged anesthesia, or altered consciousness.
Not a fit: Patients without conditions involving altered consciousness or recovery from brain injury would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies and treatments to help patients recover consciousness and motor function after brain injuries, prolonged anesthesia, or other conditions causing altered consciousness.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this team has shown that stimulating a specific brain region can promote arousal from coma-like states in animal models, suggesting a promising direction for this research.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CALDERON, DIANY PAOLA — WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- Study coordinator: CALDERON, DIANY PAOLA
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.
Conditions: Acquired brain injury