# NIH grant: Organization, plasticity, and regeneration of reticulospinal axons (1R01NS146411-01A1) — retained record

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source: [us-gov-api](https://highsignal.app/data/us-gov-api) (us-gov-api:nih-reporter)  published 2026-08-07 00:00 ingested 2026-08-10 07:25

[original source ↗](https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/1R01NS146411-01A1)

## retained text



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NIH grant 1R01NS146411-01A1: Organization, plasticity, and regeneration of reticulospinal axons
Institute: {'code': 'NS', 'abbreviation': 'NINDS', 'name': 'National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke', 'admin_org_id': '12500053', 'admin_funding_url': ''}. PI: ZHIGANG  HE. Award: $580605.
Start: 2026-08-07T00:00:00.
Abstract/Project Summary
Despite significant progress in axon regeneration research, there are still no effective treatments available for
spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Previous studies have primarily focused on corticospinal neurons (CSNs),
which represent only one subset of supraspinal neurons (SPNs). In contrast, other SPNs, in particular
reticulospinal neurons (ReSNs), have received far less attention. ReSNs originate in the brainstem reticular
formation, an evolutionarily conserved brain region. Despite their critical role in motor and autonomic
functions, the organization and regenerative capacity of ReSNs following SCI remain poorly understood. To
address this gap, this study will tackle the following objectives: (1). Functional Organization: We will
investigate the functional organization of distinct ReSN populations and their roles in controlling spinal
functions under intact conditions. (2). Injury-induced plasticity and spontaneous Recovery: Using advanced
technologies, we will assess whether different ReSN populations causally contribute to spontaneous
functional recovery after incomplete SCI. (3). Therapeutic Targeting: We will employ a newly developed
method to selectively deliver neurotrophic factors targeting ReSNs and/or corticospinal neurons to spinal
lesions, evaluating their effects on axon regeneration and functional recovery after severe SCI. Collectively,
these studies aim to provide crucial insights into the organization, plasticity, and regenerative potential of
ReSNs, paving the way for novel and translatable therapeutic strategies to treat SCI.
```



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