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Viral-mediated optogenetic techniques for peripheral nerve stimulation of motor function

Award Number: R01NS142067
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/16/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2031

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Viral-mediated optogenetic techniques for peripheral nerve stimulation of motor function - Project Summary/Abstract This project seeks to improve the utility of viral optogenetic nerve stimulation for the purpose of stimulating muscle activity and movements. Given the unique challenges of viral optogenetic stimulation in the peripheral nervous system and no examinations of such techniques in the pathological context of chronic motor injury to date, we will address the following related goals in this project. We will first examine and compare the responses of optogenetic nerve stimulation of muscle activity with functional electrical stimulation (FES) in a rodent model of spinal cord injury and any accompanying chronic neuromuscular changes. We will then characterize the baseline specificity of how motor vs. sensory neurons and their peripheral axons are labeled with light-sensitive opsins in targeted nerves after intramuscular virus injection using several recently developed adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes or other vector design strategies. These histological results will also be correlated with muscle response signatures to assess the functional effect of such labelling patterns. Finally, we will demonstrate the feasibility of these techniques for optogenetically stimulating paralyzed muscle function in awake behaving animals during locomotion via novel chronically implanted nerve interfaces capable of both optical and electrical stimulation, enabling us to directly compare optically stimulated muscle responses and movements to those elicited using comparable electrical nerve stimulation. After completion of these aims, we will have not only demonstrated the significance and high potential utility of peripheral optogenetic nerve stimulation for motor rehabilitation purposes such as in spinal cord injury, but we will have also developed innovative approaches and tools to improve viral peripheral optogenetic nerve stimulation for a broader array of peripheral nerve applications.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $351,840 )
2026	2026	THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN, INC.	8701 WATERTOWN PLANK RD	MILWAUKEE	WI	53226	MILWAUKEE	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	6/16/2026	NEW	$351,840
														Subtotal = $351,840

Grand Total All Awards = $351,840

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Viral-mediated optogenetic techniques for peripheral nerve stimulation of motor function

Award Number: R01NS142067

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/16/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2031

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