Understanding how myelin sheath length is controlled in the central nervous system.
Official title: Mechanotransduction Control of CNS Myelin Sheath Length.
Funded at Upstate Medical University · NIH-10981950 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the size of nerve fibers affects the protective covering around them, which is important for sending signals in the brain and spinal cord, and it hopes to find new ways to help people with multiple sclerosis repair their myelin.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Upstate Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $533,763 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS135206-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10981950 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with neurological conditions that involve myelin damage, such as multiple sclerosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neurological disorders unrelated to myelin sheath integrity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms that regulate the length of myelin sheaths in the central nervous system (CNS), which are crucial for proper neuronal signaling. By examining how the diameter of axons influences myelin formation, the study aims to uncover new therapeutic targets for conditions like multiple sclerosis, where myelin repair is incomplete. The research employs advanced techniques to analyze cellular interactions and the physical properties of axons in a controlled environment, providing insights into how to restore myelin integrity in neurological diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve myelin repair and restore function in patients with neurological disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding myelin formation, but this approach focusing on axon diameter as a control mechanism is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bechler, Marie E — Upstate Medical University
- Study coordinator: Bechler, Marie E
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.