Understanding spinal cord damage in degenerative cervical myelopathy
Official title: Spinal cord structure-function relationships in degenerative cervical myelopathy
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-10922839 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the structure of the spinal cord affects its function in older adults with degenerative cervical myelopathy, and it aims to improve how we diagnose this condition using advanced imaging techniques to catch injuries that regular MRIs might miss, ultimately helping doctors provide better care and predict surgery outcomes more accurately.
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 | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $525,355 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS129724-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10922839 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing symptoms of degenerative cervical myelopathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-degenerative spinal cord conditions or those who do not exhibit symptoms of cervical myelopathy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how spinal cord structure relates to function in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), a common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in older adults. The study aims to improve diagnostic techniques by using advanced imaging methods, such as filtered diffusion weighted imaging, to better detect spinal cord injuries that traditional MRI may miss. By correlating these imaging findings with clinical assessments, the research seeks to provide more objective measures of spinal cord health and predict surgical outcomes more accurately. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance routine clinical evaluations for DCM, leading to better patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes for patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques for spinal cord assessment, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vedantam, Aditya — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Vedantam, Aditya
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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.