Understanding Spinal Cord Stimulation for Movement Recovery
Improving mechanistic understanding of responsiveness to spinal cord stimulation after spinal cord injury
['FUNDING_CAREER'] · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · NIH-11123477
This research aims to understand why spinal cord stimulation helps some people with severe spinal cord injuries regain movement, using brain and spinal cord imaging.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_CAREER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11123477 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Spinal cord injury can severely limit movement, but a new approach called spinal cord stimulation (SCS) shows promise in helping people move their lower bodies again. We want to learn more about how SCS works and why some individuals respond better than others. By using advanced imaging techniques, we hope to identify specific patterns in the spinal cord that predict who will benefit most from this treatment. This knowledge could help doctors better choose who receives SCS and how to optimize its effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals with severe spinal cord injuries who are considering or undergoing spinal cord stimulation.
Not a fit: Patients whose spinal cord injury does not involve the specific areas being studied or who are not candidates for spinal cord stimulation may not directly benefit from this particular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more personalized and effective spinal cord stimulation treatments, helping more people with severe spinal cord injuries regain movement.
How similar studies have performed: While spinal cord stimulation has shown success in restoring movement for some, the specific reasons for varying responses are not fully understood, making this a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER — Aurora, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SMITH, ANDREW CRAIG — UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- Study coordinator: SMITH, ANDREW CRAIG
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 below.