Understanding how limbs move before and after spinal cord injury

Limb coordination during locomotion before and after spinal cord injury

['FUNDING_R01'] · GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · NIH-11107886

This project aims to better understand how the body controls limb movement, especially after a spinal cord injury, to help improve walking abilities.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorGEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (ATLANTA, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11107886 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Spinal cord injury can severely impact a person's ability to move, affecting their quality of life. Even after an injury, the spinal cord circuits below the injury site remain active and can be stimulated. While electrical stimulation has shown promise in helping people with spinal cord injuries walk, current methods often result in slow, uncoordinated movement. This work uses animal models to gain a deeper understanding of these spinal circuits and how they interact to control movement. The goal is to develop more effective strategies for restoring functional walking after spinal cord injury.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research is for anyone affected by spinal cord injury who hopes for future advancements in restoring movement and walking abilities.

Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate, direct treatment or participation in a human clinical trial will not find direct benefit from this basic science animal model work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and improved treatments, such as better electrical stimulation techniques, to help people with spinal cord injuries regain more natural and coordinated walking.

How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown some success with electrical stimulation to restore walking after spinal cord injury, but this project seeks to overcome current limitations in coordination and fluidity.

Where this research is happening

ATLANTA, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.