Understanding how brain pathways contribute to spasticity after stroke
Official title: The function of descending and ascending pathways in spastic hypertonia and hyperreflexia after stroke
Funded at University of California Riverside · NIH-11374980 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in adults after stroke will look at how brain pathways control hand movement and spasticity to find clues for better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $325,313 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS131227-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374980 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with stroke who have or are at risk for upper limb spasticity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without upper limb involvement or not eligible for brain/spinal pathway studies may not benefit.
What this research studies
After stroke, many people develop spasticity in the arm that makes it hard to move and causes pain and contractures. This project will examine brain and spinal pathways to see how descending motor tracts and ascending sensory signals influence hand function and spasticity. Using human-relevant models and imaging, the team hopes to map where disruption leads to abnormal reflexes and muscle tone. The findings could inform new approaches that target the brain and spinal networks rather than just symptoms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier diagnosis and better-targeted therapies for post-stroke spasticity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests brain pathway changes contribute to post-stroke spasticity, but the precise mechanisms remain debated.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Riverside
Riverside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vahdat, Shahabeddin — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Vahdat, Shahabeddin
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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.