Ongoing and past funding support for human-based evoked potential Operant Conditioning Research
Ongoing Support for Operant Conditioning Research
Can MEP conditioning improve corticospinal recruitment of motoneurons in chronic cervical SCI?
Medical University of South Carolina
Awarding Institution: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
The overall goal is to examine whether wrist extensor Motor Evoked Potential (MEP) conditioning can improve corticospinal recruitment of wrist extensor motoneurons and forearm motor functions in people with cervical spinal cord injury.
Operant conditioning of the wrist extensor motor evoked potential to target corticospinal plasticity and upper limb motor recovery after cervical spinal cord injury?
Dates Active: 04/15/2025 – 03/31/2027 (*transitions to R00 in 04/01/2027 – 03/31/2030)
Primary Investigator: Allison Lewis, DPT, PhD
Medical University of South Carolina
Awarding Institution: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Targeted Spinal Cord Plasticity for Alleviating SCI-Related Neuropathic Pain
Dates Active: 9/30/2022 – 9/29/2026
Award Number: W81XWH221099
Dual Investigator: Aiko Thompson, PhD/ Jacob McPherson, PhD
Medical University of South Carolina
Awarding Institution: Department of Defense / Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)
The goal of this project is to decrease neural transmission in spinal pain pathways that become overactive after spinal cord injury (SCI) and contribute to the persistent SCI-related neuropathic pain (SCI-NP). To accomplish this, we will develop a non-invasive, non-pharmacological neurobehavioral training approach, through which people with SCI-NP learn to restore an appropriate
Center for Advancing Precision Neural Circuit-Based Rehabilitation (Neuro-PRECISE)
Dates Active: 09/15/25 – 08/31/30
Award Number: P50 HD118628
Primary Investigator: Steven Kautz, PhD
Medical University of South Carolina
Awarding Institution: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
The Neuro-PRECISE Center goal is to become a highly integrated, focused, transdisciplinary research center able to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the field of precision neurorehabilitation with the requisite research and technology development, training, pilot funding, dissemination, and community engagement to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Dates Active: 09/30/2020 – 12/31/2026
Award Number: U44 NS114420
Multiple Primary Investigators: Issac Clements, PhD/Aiko Thompson, PhD/Jonathan Wolpaw, PhD
Medical University of South Carolina
Awarding Institution: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
The goal of SBIR Phase I human study is to conduct system performance testing and preliminary data collection to facilitate the development of a new spinal reflex condition system. For SBIR Phase II, the goal is to validate the effectiveness of the new reflex conditioning system.
Completed Support for Operant Conditioning Research
Characterization of Physiological Changes Induced Through MEP Conditioning in People with SCI
Award Number: R01 NS114279
Primary Investigator: Aiko Thompson, PhD
Medical University of South Carolina
Awarding Institution: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
The goal is to determine how MEP conditioning induces cortical and corticospinal plasticity and how such plasticity changes locomotion in people with incomplete SCI.
Can increasing MEP size improve upper extremity motor function in individuals with SCI?
Award Number: A22-0037-001
Primary Investigator: Blair Dellenbach, OT
Medical University of South Carolina
Awarding Institution: Neilsen Foundation Allied Health Professional Research Award of ASIA
Functional Role of Golgi tendon organ feedback in health and disease
Dates Active: 09/19/2019 – 08/31/2025
Award Number: K01HD100588
Primary Investigator: Mark Lyle, PhD
Emory University
Awarding Institution: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Closed-Loop Control and Operant Conditioning of Loading Response during Locomotion After Stroke
Dates Active: 10/01/2022 – 09/30/2025
Award Number: NSF 2218913
Primary Investigator: Victor Duenas , PhD
Syracuse University
Awarding Institution: National Science Foundation (NSF)
The goal of this project is to achieve a paradigm shift in neuro-behavioral gait training by integrating a novel operant conditioning protocol and a robotic ankle device to enhance paretic leg function post-stroke. The innovation in this project is the development of a hybrid approach to target the soleus muscle activity within the stance phase of walking and condition its loading response as a strategy to improve hemiparetic walking.
National Center of Neuromodulation for Rehabilitation (NC NM4R)
Dates Active: 07/01/2020 – 04/30/2025
Award Number:P2C HD086844
Primary Investigator: Steven Kautz, PhD
Awarding Institution: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
The overarching goal of this project is to impact multiple RPR priorities by increasing rehabilitation research workforce access to NM4R approaches and supporting rigorous clinical research to translate them into effective, evidence-based rehabilitation interventions.
Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies
Dates Active: 07/01/2019 – 06/30/2024
Award Number: P41 EB018783
Primary Investigator: Jonathan Wolpaw, PhD
Awarding Institution: National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
The proposed Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies will expand its core technologies, facilitate its clinical translation, and promote its wider impact through formal training and dissemination programs.
Spinal Reflex Conditioning to Decrease Spasticity and Improve Motor Function in Adults with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Dates Active: 10/01/2022 – 09/30/2023
Award Number: N/a
Primary Investigator: Kathleen Friel, PhD
Burke Neurological Institute
Awarding Institution: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine / NIH C-PROGRESS
A Spinal Reflex Operant Conditioning System Suitable for Clinical Translation
Dates Active: 05/01/18 – 04/30/2022
Award Number: C33279GG
Primary Investigator: Jonathan Wolpaw, PhD
Awarding Institution: The New York State Spinal Cord Injury Research Trust
The goal is to translate the current reflex operant conditioning system into an automated, easy-to-use, and robust system that therapists can use in clinical research and practice. We will perfect this system through comprehensive testing, create documentation that guides therapists in its use, and address other issues important for commercialization and dissemination of the system.
National Center of Neuromodulation for Rehabilitation (NC NM4R)
Dates Active: 09/15/2015 – 06/30/2020
Award Number: 1P2CHD086844-01
Primary Investigator: Steven Kautz, PhD
Medical University of South Carolina
Awarding Institution: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
The overarching goal of this medical rehabilitation research infrastructure program is to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field of neuromodulation for rehabilitation – the mechanisms and use of brain stimulation and operant conditioning of brain and spinal cord networks integrated with rehabilitation principles.
Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies
Dates Active: 07/01/14 – 06/30/2019
Award Number: P41 EB018783
Primary Investigator: Jonathan Wolpaw, PhD
Awarding Institution: National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
The proposed Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies will expand its core technologies, facilitate its clinical translation, and promote its wider impact through formal training and dissemination programs.
Training of corticospinal motor evoked potential to improve gait after SCI
Dates Active: 04/12/15 – 02/28/2019
Award Number: N/a
Primary Investigator: Aiko Thompson, PhD
Medical University of South Carolina
Awarding Institution: The Morton Cure Paralysis Fund
The goal is to investigate whether and to what extent operant conditioning of the motor evoked potential to transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve motor function recovery in people with chronic spinal cord injury.
South Carolina Research Center for Recovery from Stroke (SCRCRS): Pilot Project 7 – “Operant Down-Conditioning of the Soleus H-Reflex Hemiparesis after Stroke”
Dates Active: 11/01/15 – 12/31/17
Award Number: P20 GM109040 (Kautz)
Primary Investigator: Aiko Thompson, PhD
Awarding Institution: National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
The goal of this pilot project is to test the hypothesis that appropriately applied operant conditioning of a spinal reflex can improve motor function recovery in people after stroke.
Changing a reflex to improve locomotion
Dates Active: 09/01/10 – 05/31/2016
Award Number: R01 NS069551
Primary Investigator: Aiko Thompson, PhD
Awarding Institution: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
The goal is to investigate the impact of changing a spinal reflex on impaired locomotion in people with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury.
Training of EMG/EEG responses to improve gait after SCI
Dates Active: 10/01/13 – 02/28/2014
Primary Investigator: Aiko Thompson, PhD
Awarding Institution: The New York State Spinal Cord Injury Research Trust
The goal is to investigate the mechanisms of cortical plasticity associated with operant conditioning of EMG/EEG responses.
Training of muscle responses to improve gait after central nerve damage
Dates Active: 02/01/10 – 01/31/2013
Award Number: N/a
Primary Investigator: Aiko Thompson, PhD
Awarding Institution: Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation
The goal is to study the therapeutic effects of muscle response training in people with central nervous system damage, such as stroke and multiple sclerosis.
EMG/EEG training to improve function recovery after SCI
Dates Active: 10/01/08 – 09/30/2011
Award Number: C023685
Primary Investigator: Aiko Thompson, PhD
Awarding Institution: The New York State Spinal Cord Injury Research Trust
The goal is to evaluate EMG/EEG training as a new therapeutic approach to improve motor function recovery after spinal cord injury.