# The role of skin BDNF in the maintenance of the cutaneous mechanosensory nervous system

> **NIH NIH K08** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2021 · $227,922

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This application describes a five-year training program for development of an academic career in studying the
role of skin-derived BDNF in the maintenance and protection of cutaneous mechanosensory afferents. I am a
physician scientist with an expertise in neuropathology. I will establish myself as an independent investigator
during this award period by developing my research under the mentorship of outstanding physicians and
researchers. The support from my mentors and my institution will contribute to a special environment for
promoting the success of my research and career development. This effort will specifically involve my primary
mentor, Dr. James Russell of University of Maryland School of Medicine, and co-mentors Dr. David Ginty of
Harvard Medical School and Dr. Michael Polydefkis of Johns Hopkins University. The career development plan
will build on my strong background in morphologic analysis of the nervous system, adding didactic training and
research experiences in related disciplines. My overall career goal is to become an outstanding physician
scientist in the field of sensory nervous system and related disorders. The Mentored Clinical Scientist
Development Award will allow me to achieve this goal by providing dedicated time and resources for laboratory
work and training activities. It will also provide me with an opportunity to develop the necessary skills to
become an independent researcher. In this application, I propose to use mouse models to study the role of
skin-derived BDNF in the maintenance of TrkB-expressing cutaneous sensory receptors and to characterize its
mechanism in mediating the protective effect of Nicotinamide Riboside against diabetic neuropathy. The work
highlights the importance of skin-derived BDNF in sensory nerve protection and the potential of Nicotinamide
Riboside as a novel therapeutic agent for diabetic neuropathy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10126922
- **Project number:** 5K08NS102468-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** Cheng-Ying Ho
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $227,922
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-03-01 → 2022-01-01

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10126922

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10126922, The role of skin BDNF in the maintenance of the cutaneous mechanosensory nervous system (5K08NS102468-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10126922. Licensed CC0.

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