Using increased carbon dioxide levels to help breathing recovery after spinal cord injury
Official title: Effect of Hypercapnia Treatment on Respiratory Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury
Funded at John D Dingell VA Medical Center · NIH-11127371 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how breathing in higher levels of carbon dioxide might help veterans with spinal cord injuries breathe better and sleep more soundly, and we're inviting 30 veterans to try this treatment over two weeks to see if it works for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | John D Dingell VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I21RX004114-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11127371 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who have experienced spinal cord injuries and are suffering from respiratory and sleep disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have spinal cord injuries or those who are not veterans may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of a treatment involving increased carbon dioxide levels, known as acute intermittent hypercapnia, on respiratory recovery in veterans who have suffered spinal cord injuries. The study aims to enroll 30 veterans to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of this treatment over a two-week period. By focusing on patients who often struggle with standard mechanical treatments, the research seeks to identify alternative therapies that could improve breathing and sleep disorders associated with spinal cord injuries. The approach includes monitoring the patients' respiratory function during both wakefulness and sleep to gather comprehensive data on the treatment's impact.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options that significantly improve respiratory function and quality of life for patients with spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of using hypercapnia for respiratory recovery is novel, similar techniques involving intermittent hypoxia have shown promise in improving ventilatory and motor recovery in other studies.
Where this research is happening
-
John D Dingell VA Medical Center
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sankari, Abdulghani — John D Dingell VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Sankari, Abdulghani
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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.