Applying Enhanced Electroceutical Treatments and Identifying Electrical Biomarkers for SCI
Abstract
Service Members on the front lines of battle can suffer traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs) leaving them to contend with a compromised quality of life as a result of paralysis. Service Members experience a higher rate of SCIs compared to civilians, with 429 spinal injuries per million people per year, compared to 54 per million per year in the civilian population. There are very few treatment options available for people who have suffered a SCI and the body’s natural healing mechanisms are generally not enough to provide meaningful recovery. Paralysis in SCI is caused by damage to the spinal nerves that connect the brain to the rest of the body. One emerging therapy that has shown potential is the regeneration of spinal nerves using electrical stimulation. We have developed an ultra-thin implant that can be placed directly over the injured area of the spinal cord to encourage healing. This implant contains electrodes that can both record the natural electrical activity in the spinal cord and create an electric field through the damaged tissue to stimulate nerve regeneration. By regenerating damaged spinal nerves, we aim to reestablish the connection between the brain and the body and restore movement to patients with paralysis. In this project we have two main objectives. First, we will demonstrate electrical stimulation can reliably promote healing by testing our implant in a preclinical animal model of SCI. We will use cutting-edge materials that can deliver safe and strong electrical stimulation directly to the spinal cord. Second, we will use our implant to record electrical activity from the spinal cord and the injury site, allowing us to understand how signaling occurs in a healthy cord, and how it changes after injury and during treatment and recovery. Successful completion of this research will demonstrate that electrical stimulation treatments can regenerate damaged spinal nerves, resulting in functional improvements in a preclinical model of SCI. At the completion of this grant, we will require a translational phase to prepare our approach for patients, and subsequently, expect to achieve person-related outcomes in an estimated 8 years from our current position.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 04, 2024
- Source ID
- HT94252310492
Entities
People
- Darren Svirskis
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Auckland