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Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Abstract
Spinal cord injury at the high cervical level results in respiratory impairment.
Activation of the latent respiratory pathway is an endogenous mechanism of neural
plasticity that can contribute to restoration of breathing. We recently discovered that
genetic stimulation of moderate astrocyte reactivity throughout the CNS via
overexpression of leucine zipper-bearing kinase (LZK) in adult astrocytes enhances
injury-induced CNS axon plasticity. Using this unique genetic model, we further found
that stimulation of astrocyte reactivity improved recovery of breathing following high
cervical lateral hemisection of the spinal cord. This pilot project will test the hypothesis
that stimulation of astrocyte reactivity combined with intermittent hypoxia respiratory
training will further augment activation of the latent pathway to enhance respiratory
recovery. Additionally, local reactive astrocyte stimulation via AAV-mediated induction of
astrocyte-targeted LZK expression at the level of phrenic nucleus will be tested as a
therapeutic approach to recover breathing function after spinal cord injury.
Status | Active |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 7/31/24 → 7/30/26 |
Funding
- Craig H. Neilsen Foundation: $400,000.00
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Projects
- 1 Active
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Optimizing a Translational Strategy to Improve Breathing after SCI
Alilain, W. (PI)
7/31/24 → 7/30/26
Project: Research project