Understanding how brain cells repair white matter damage
Official title: Mechanisms of oligodendroglial ciliary function in white matter injury repair
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11054619 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells help repair damage in the white matter of the brain, which can happen in conditions like multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy, to find better ways to help people recover and improve treatments for these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $403,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS128021-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054619 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults with multiple sclerosis and newborns with brain injuries that result in cerebral palsy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to white matter injury or those who are not within the specified age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) in repairing white matter injuries caused by conditions like multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. It focuses on how these cells use primary cilia to respond to injury signals and regenerate myelin sheaths, which are crucial for proper nerve function. By exploring the signaling pathways involved, the research aims to uncover why remyelination often fails and how to improve this process. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments for neurological conditions associated with white matter damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies for patients suffering from neurological conditions related to white matter injury.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding the role of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in myelin repair, but the specific focus on primary cilia in this context is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fancy, Stephen Philip James — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Fancy, Stephen Philip James
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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.