Understanding spinal circuits to improve recovery in cervical myelopathy
Official title: Dissecting spinal interneuron circuits to augment neurological recovery in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM)
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11178775 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain nerve cells in the spine can help people recover better from cervical myelopathy, a condition that affects movement and feeling, especially after surgery, and it aims to find new ways to improve arm function for those who don’t fully get better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 2, 2024 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS134644-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11178775 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with degenerative cervical myelopathy who have undergone surgical decompression but still experience functional impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been diagnosed with degenerative cervical myelopathy or those who have not undergone surgical intervention may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific spinal interneurons contribute to recovery from degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), a condition that affects movement and sensation due to spinal cord injury. The study aims to identify changes in neural circuits that occur after surgical treatment and explore targeted neuromodulation as a potential therapy to enhance upper limb function. By examining genetically-defined spinal interneuron populations, the research seeks to develop strategies that could improve outcomes for patients who do not fully recover after surgery. Patients may be involved in assessments that help understand their condition and the effectiveness of new therapeutic approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly improve motor function and quality of life for patients with DCM.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting spinal interneurons is promising, it is still largely novel and has not been extensively tested in the context of DCM.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Satkunendrarajah, Kajana — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Satkunendrarajah, Kajana
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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.