Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) awarded $425,712 under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865) to The Research Foundation for the State University of New York to conduct research on noninvasive neuromodulation for improving hand motor function in multiple sclerosis (MS). The award, obligated on June 10, 2026, with an ultimate completion date of May 30, 2028, supports a two-phase research initiative. Phase one evaluates the effects of paired corticospinal-motoneuronal stimulation (PCMS)—a neuromodulation technique combining transcranial magnetic stimulation with peripheral nerve stimulation—on corticospinal transmission and hand dexterity in 25 persons with MS using a randomized, crossover design. The primary outcome measure is performance on the 9-hole peg test, with secondary outcomes including grip force, motor-evoked potential parameters, and other neurophysiological markers. Phase two extends this research to examine PCMS combined with hand motor training in 48 persons with MS, addressing the significant clinical need for targeted interventions beyond current pharmacological and rehabilitation approaches.

The research addresses a critical gap in multiple sclerosis treatment, as over 75 percent of persons with MS experience hand motor impairments that reduce independence and quality of life. The research is being conducted at the University at Buffalo location in New York under the administration of the awardee's Sponsored Projects Services division, leveraging the organization's established capacity in managing complex biomedical research initiatives funded by the National Institutes of Health.