Understanding how nerve cells help recover hand movement after spinal cord injury
Official title: The Role of Corticospinal Neurons in the Recovery of Dexterous Forelimb Function After Spinal Cord Injury
Funded at Winifred Masterson Burke Med Res Inst · NIH-11083693 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how spinal cord injuries impact the brain's control over hand movements and explores how rehabilitation can help improve these abilities, aiming to find better ways to support recovery for people with these injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Winifred Masterson Burke Med Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (White Plains, United States) |
| Project start | May 5, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $458,285 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS136711-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11083693 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a spinal cord injury and are seeking to regain dexterous forelimb function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with complete spinal cord injuries who have no remaining nerve function may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how spinal cord injuries affect the brain's ability to control hand movements and how rehabilitation can help restore these functions. It focuses on the role of corticospinal neurons, which are crucial for motor control, and how they can be integrated into brain networks to support recovery. By examining the changes in brain maps and neuron connections after injury, the study aims to identify effective rehabilitation strategies that promote healing and functional recovery. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to improved therapies for regaining movement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new rehabilitation techniques that significantly enhance recovery of hand function in patients with spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using rehabilitation to promote neural recovery after spinal cord injuries, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
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Winifred Masterson Burke Med Res Inst
White Plains, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hollis, Edmund R — Winifred Masterson Burke Med Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Hollis, Edmund R
Related research
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Corticospinal neurons and recovery of precise forelimb movement after spinal cord injury
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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.