Understanding how spinal development is affected in cerebral palsy and finding ways to ease spasticity
Official title: Impairment of Spinal Development in Cerebral Palsy
Funded at University of Rhode Island · NIH-11375089 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying why spastic cerebral palsy causes tight muscles and reflexes and are testing a noninvasive treatment to help reduce these symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kingston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2017 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $618,910 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS104436-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375089 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with spastic cerebral palsy and possibly those without CP for comparison, plus animal model subjects.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience noticeable improvement in spasticity.
What this research studies
This project looks at how nerve signals that control muscle stretch contribute to stiffness in cerebral palsy, using both people and animal models to explore mechanisms. It will compare nerve activity and reflexes in children with CP and in rabbits after a prenatal brain injury, aiming to understand how pain signals influence muscle tone. The study also tests whether transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) can lessen spasticity in both rabbits and humans. By linking spinal cord signaling to observed muscle changes, this work seeks to identify potential new ways to reduce tightness and improve movement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to a non-drug treatment to reduce spasticity and improve motor function in children with CP.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work suggests nociceptor activity relates to spasticity, but this approach in humans is still being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quinlan, Katharina Ann — University of Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Quinlan, Katharina Ann
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Measuring how kids with cerebral palsy adapt their walking
A study to understand how children with cerebral palsy learn and adjust walking, and how personalized feedback during walking might improve their mobility.
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Precise measure of how CP affects movement to guide treatment
Aims to create precise, child-friendly ways to measure selective motor control in cerebral palsy so treatment can be tailored to each child.
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Non-invasive spinal stimulation to help kids with cerebral palsy move and reduce stiffness
This study tests a non-invasive spinal stimulation plus treadmill training to reduce spasticity and improve walking in children with cerebral palsy.
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Physiologic marker to predict cerebral palsy early in high-risk babies
Aims to create an early, easy screen using NICU vital signs to flag infants at higher risk for cerebral palsy so families can get timely follow-up.
-
Post-surgical foot deformities in adults with cerebral palsy: understanding long-term function
This research looks at how hindfoot problems in adults with cerebral palsy behave over time after childhood surgeries and what factors influence their lasting function.
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Dynamic Brain Imaging of Cerebral Palsy Gait
This project uses advanced brain and spinal imaging to understand how cerebral palsy affects the way young people plan and control their leg movements during walking.
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.