Visualizing nerve damage and recovery after injury
Official title: In vivo Visualization of Delayed Wallerian Degeneration in Peripheral Nerve Injury
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11063211 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how injuries to your nerves affect your body and is trying to find new ways to see how they heal, especially by focusing on a protein that helps us understand nerve damage, with the hope of discovering better treatments to help you recover faster.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $226,590 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS135646-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063211 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced severe peripheral nerve injuries requiring surgical intervention.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild nerve injuries or those who do not require surgical treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how peripheral nerve injuries affect the body and explores new ways to visualize the healing process. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to understand the molecular changes that occur after nerve damage, particularly focusing on a protein called SARM1 that plays a crucial role in nerve degeneration. The goal is to identify potential treatments that could enhance nerve recovery and improve outcomes for patients with severe injuries. Patients may benefit from insights gained through this research that could lead to better surgical interventions and therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved recovery strategies for patients with severe peripheral nerve injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding nerve degeneration and recovery, but this specific approach using advanced imaging techniques is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berezin, Mikhail Y. — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Berezin, Mikhail Y.
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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.