Understanding how corticospinal neurons develop and regenerate after injury
Official title: Subcellular investigation of molecular programs responsible for corticospinal neuron development and treatment-enhanced regeneration
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-10892644 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells that help control movement grow and heal after a spinal cord injury, with the hope of finding new ways to help people recover better from these injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $53,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F30HD113352-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10892644 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced spinal cord injuries and are seeking potential new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with spinal cord injuries that are not amenable to regenerative therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the molecular programs that govern the development and regeneration of corticospinal neurons, which are crucial for voluntary motor control. By examining the differences in gene and protein expression in these neurons during their growth and after spinal cord injury, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that hinder regeneration. The approach involves detailed analysis of growth cones and neuron cell bodies to identify potential targets for enhancing recovery. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments for spinal cord injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to breakthroughs in therapies that enhance recovery from spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding neuronal regeneration, but this specific approach focusing on corticospinal neurons is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vicent Allende, Maria Alejandra — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Vicent Allende, Maria Alejandra
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults Across Richer Countries
Aims to understand how end-of-life care for older adults with serious illnesses differs in the US compared with other high-income countries.
-
Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults Across Rich Countries
A study compares how end-of-life care is handled for older adults in the US and other high-income countries to identify what might improve care here.
-
Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults in Rich Countries
A large study from Harvard Medical School compares how older adults near the end of life are cared for in the US and other top-income countries to understand differences and improve care.
-
Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults Across Rich Countries
A study using international data to understand how end-of-life care for older adults with poor prognoses differs across five high‑income countries.
-
Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults Across Rich Countries
A research project compares how older adults with serious illnesses receive end-of-life care in the US and other high-income countries to find ways to improve care in the United States.
-
Comparing End-of-Life Care for Older Adults Across Rich Countries
A project compares how older adults near the end of life are cared for in the U.S. and other high-income countries to identify ways to improve care and reduce wasteful spending.
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.