Marquette University Professor Receives $2.7 Million NIH Grant to Develop Novel Treatment for Respiratory Issues after Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Strategic Insights -

Dr. Kristi Streeter, an assistant professor of physical therapy in the College of Health Sciences at Marquette University, has been awarded an R01 grant worth $2.7 million over five years from the National Institutes of Health's National Heart Lung and Blood Institute to investigate a novel treatment strategy for restoring diaphragm function after cervical spinal cord injury. This project aims to improve breathing function in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury, which is the primary cause of illness and death in these patients. Dr. Streeter and her colleagues will explore the use of diaphragm sensory neurons as a novel treatment strategy and evaluate the mechanisms that give rise to this approach.

Key Takeaways:

  • The project will investigate the use of diaphragm sensory neurons as a novel treatment strategy to restore respiratory neural function and improve breathing in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury.
  • Dr. Streeter and her team will test three hypotheses: (1) activation of sensory receptors in the diaphragm induces novel form of plasticity in the nerve that provides motor signals to the diaphragm; (2) sensory neurons are necessary for diaphragm-pacing induced respiratory recovery after spinal cord injury; and (3) sensory neurons activity is altered by cervical spinal cord injury.
  • The project has the potential to identify a novel target to improve breathing following cervical spinal cord injury and lead to a paradigm shift in the management of breathing insufficiency.
  • Dr. Streeter is collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of colleagues at Marquette, including Dr. Deanna Arble, associate professor of biological sciences; Dr. Allison Hyngstrom, chair and professor of physical therapy; Dr. Marieke Gilmartin, associate professor of biomedical sciences; as well as Dr. Matthew Hodges, professor of physiology at Medical College of Wisconsin, and Anthony Sabel, a consultant providing a lived spinal cord injury prospective.

Statistics:

  • The project has been awarded an R01 grant worth $2.7 million over five years.
  • Cervical spinal cord injury is a problem with limited treatment options and no cure.
  • Breathing impairment after cervical spinal cord injury is a leading cause of illness and death in these patients.
  • The project has the potential to lead to a paradigm shift in the management of breathing insufficiency.

Sources:

  • Marquette University News - "Marquette University Professor Receives NIH Grant to Develop Novel Treatment for Respiratory Issues after Cervical Spinal Cord Injury"
  • National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (www.nhlbi.nih.gov)
  • National Institutes of Health (www.nih.gov)
  • Marquette University (www.marquette.edu)