Understanding how spinal cord injuries affect brain communication
Official title: Brain-wide transcriptional profiling after spinal cord injury
Funded at Marquette University · NIH-10827193 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how spinal cord injuries affect the way the brain and spinal cord communicate, which can cause problems with movement and feeling, and it's using mice to learn more about how certain brain cells respond to injury and how a specific protein might help them heal.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Marquette University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $424,875 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS135769-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10827193 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 facing challenges related to movement, sensation, or autonomic functions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with spinal cord injuries who are not experiencing significant functional deficits may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how spinal cord injuries disrupt communication between the brain and spinal cord, which can lead to various functional challenges such as loss of movement, sensation, and autonomic functions. Using a mouse model, the researchers will analyze gene expression patterns in different types of neurons after spinal cord injury to understand how these cells respond to damage. They will also explore the effects of a specific transcription factor, Sox11, on neuron repair and survival. This comprehensive profiling aims to uncover the cellular mechanisms involved in spinal cord injury recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve recovery and function for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding cellular responses to spinal cord injuries, but this specific approach using advanced sequencing technologies is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Marquette University
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blackmore, Murray G — Marquette University
- Study coordinator: Blackmore, Murray G
Related research
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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.