Using electrical stimulation to improve stem cell treatments for spinal cord injuries

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This research investigates how electrical stimulation can enhance the effectiveness of neural stem cell transplants in patients with chronic spinal cord injuries. The approach combines the regenerative potential of stem cells, which can differentiate into neurons and glial cells, with electrical stimulation techniques that have shown promise in improving motor and autonomic functions. By exploring the synergy between these two therapies, the research aims to overcome current limitations in stem cell therapy, such as poor integration into existing neural circuits. Patients may be involved in trials that assess the safety and efficacy of this combined treatment approach.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• University of Washington
  Seattle, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Perlmutter, Steve I — University of Washington
• Study coordinator: Perlmutter, Steve I

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Corticospinal neurons and recovery of precise forelimb movement after spinal cord injury

  This project studies how spine injuries change brain circuits and whether targeted rehabilitation helps restore precise forelimb movement.

  NIH research Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · New York, United States · NIH-11628900

• How baclofen and spinal cord stimulation interact in people with spinal cord injury

  This study looks at how a common antispasmodic medicine (baclofen) works together with spinal cord stimulation in people who have spinal cord injuries and live with spasticity.

  NIH research Mayo Clinic Rochester · Rochester, United States · NIH-11625970

• Targeting spinal cord inflammation with a new HuR inhibitor to help SCI patients

  A new treatment approach uses a small molecule to block a brain-spinal inflammation regulator (HuR) that drives harmful inflammation after spinal cord injury, aiming to lessen damage and pain for people with SCI.

  NIH research Birmingham VA Medical Center · Birmingham, United States · NIH-11617294

• From Neural Control of Movement to Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury

  A patient-focused project aims to translate how brain signals control movement after spinal cord injury into new treatments that improve muscle function and reduce spasticity.

  NIH research Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago D/b/a Shirley Ryan Abilitylab · Chicago, United States · NIH-11605996

• Polaris: a compact system to help motor recovery after spinal cord injury and stroke

  A new, easy-to-use device called Polaris may help people with spinal cord injury, stroke, or other chronic conditions regain movement by guiding a specialized reflex-based therapy.

  NIH research Biocircuit Technologies, INC. · Atlanta, United States · NIH-11538499

• Predicting and Preventing Chronic Aspiration After Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

  This project looks at swallowing problems and chronic aspiration in adults with traumatic neck spine injuries to find patterns that could prevent serious lung complications.

  NIH research University of Florida · Gainesville, United States · NIH-11509590

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.