Shirley Ryan AbilityLab/Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

2021 Development Grant

• Up to $50,000 for up to 2 years. Total award $100,000 including indirect costs.
• Complimentary AANEM Annual Meeting registration in the year the research is presented. This travel award does not need to be included in the grant application. It is paid above in the $50,000 award.
• Complimentary AANEM membership during funding

Project Title

Activity-Based Treatments to Accelerate Peripheral Axon Regeneration

Project Summary

Conservative estimates suggest 200, 000 or more peripheral nerve injuries occur every year in the United States. Outcomes are highly variable, but the vast majority are left with permanent neurological impairments including limb paralysis or severe chronic pain. 

Franz’ research will address this problem by combining two promising treatments involving therapeutic electrical stimulation as well as a repurposed drug. Prior work indicates they will have an additive benefit since these treatments appear to target distinct events that occur either earlier or later in the nerve regeneration process. To further enrich this proposal we will use advance materials to enable wireless, and biodegradable implants to deliver therapy directly to regenerating nerves. 

Read more here.