Friday, August 1, 2025 8/1/2025

Combined Biomaterial and Neuromodulatory Approach to Promote Axonal Outgrowth and Connections After Cervical SCI

Award Number: R21NS116550
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: 01/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2024

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Combined Biomaterial and Neuromodulatory Approach to Promote Axonal Outgrowth and Connections After Cervical SCI - Spinal cord injury (SCI) interrupts connections between the motor cortex (MCX) and spinal motor circuits. We propose a novel approach to treat paralysis and weakness after spinal cord injury (SCI) by combining (1) dual MCX and spinal cord stimulation to promote corticospinal tract (CST) axonal outgrowth and activity-dependent synapse formation, and (2) implantation at the spinal injury site of a hydrogel biomaterial. MCX epidural stimulation is a neuromodulatory approach that upregulates the mTOR and Jak/Stat signaling pathways—essential for CST axon regeneration and CST injury-dependent sprouting—to promote CST axon sprouting, synapse formation, and motor function after injury. The effects of MCX stimulation therapy is potentiated by cathodal trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS), a non-invasive neuromodulatory approach that can be rostrocaudally- targeted to activate the spinal cord. However, the recovery that can be achieved by activity-based repair strategies is limited by the physical damage and the cavity at the injury site. Our dual neuromodulatory strategy, alone, cannot achieve sufficient CST outgrowth and circuit repair needed to restore significant function after a traumatic SCI. To achieve greater motor recovery after SCI, we will combine neuromodulation with implantation of Chitosan engineered as a fragmented physical hydrogel suspension (Chitosan-FPHS). This new and patented formulation remodels the injury site. Chitosan-FPHS helps abrogate physical barriers at the lesion site and enhances axonal growth into and through the injury. Chitosan-FPHS therapy significantly improves motor function after thoracic hemisection. In this proposal, we use an adult rat C4 midline contusion model and combine published biomaterial implantation and neuromodulation methods in a novel way to repair the motor system. In Aim 1, we will determine the efficacy of Chitosan-FPHS hydrogel implantation combined with the dual neuromodulation therapy in promoting CST axonal outgrowth and MCX evoked spinal cord and muscle responses. In Aim 2, we will determine the efficacy of Chitosan- FPHS hydrogel implantation combined with dual neuromodulation therapy in promoting motor function after cervical SCI. Together, our combined neuromodulatory and biomaterial-based approach aims to induce persistent structural plasticity after SCI. This approach could lead to recovery of substantial motor control in our animal model and could be translated to improve function in people with SCI.


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: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$25 )
2025	2022	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	160 CONVENT AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10031	NEW YORK	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	5/9/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$25
														Subtotal = -$25

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2022	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	160 CONVENT AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10031	NEW YORK	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	5/17/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $157,000 )
2022	2022	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	160 CONVENT AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10031	NEW YORK	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	12/21/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$141,300
2022	2022	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	160 CONVENT AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10031	NEW YORK	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	2	3/28/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$15,700
														Subtotal = $157,000

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $266,200 )
2021	2021	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	160 CONVENT AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10031	NEW YORK	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	12/31/2020	NEW	$266,200
														Subtotal = $266,200

Grand Total All Awards = $423,175

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Combined Biomaterial and Neuromodulatory Approach to Promote Axonal Outgrowth and Connections After Cervical SCI

Award Number: R21NS116550

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: 01/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2024

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer