This $126,333 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) under the Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders (CFDA 93.853) will support research by the University of Florida into using transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) and ampakine therapy to enhance respiratory function in rats with cervical spinal cord injuries. The key objectives are to: 1) develop an effective tsDCS protocol to increase phrenic nerve activation after cervical SCI, 2) test whether pairing ampakine therapy with tsDCS can promote sustained increases in phrenic output, 3) evaluate the ability of tsDCS and ampakines to safely enhance diaphragm EMG output in awake rats with cervical SCI, and 4) assess whether a daily rehabilitation regimen of tsDCS and low-dose ampakine can promote sustained recovery of diaphragm activation after cervical SCI. This multi-year project aims to advance understanding of respiratory neurophysiology and develop therapeutic strategies to mitigate respiratory motor dysfunction following spinal cord injuries.
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