# Brain Network Connectivity Measures in Early Stroke Rehabilitation

> **NIH NIH R00** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $203,107

## Abstract

The research and training plans proposed in this Pathway to Independence Award will accelerate the
candidate's transition to independent research scientist and tenure-track faculty member at a primary research
institution. This award will support the candidate's investigation of functional neuroimaging measures of brain
network connectivity in inpatient stroke rehabilitation. The candidate will acquire training in advanced resting-
state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) analysis and clinical
research methodology. The training plan involves customized mentoring, coursework in signal analysis and
statistics, hands-on laboratory experiences, and professional career development activities targeting grant
writing and grantsmanship, public speaking, and transitioning to academia. This award will complement the
candidate's clinical background in physical therapy and prior stroke rehabilitation research.
The K99 phase of the award will occur at the University of California, Irvine under the mentorship of Steven C.
Cramer, MD, an exceptional neurologist and leader in stroke rehabilitation, and co-mentorship of Ramesh
Srinivasan, PhD, a renowned specialist in EEG neurophysiology and data analysis. The University of
California, Irvine will provide the candidate with an excellent research environment and an assortment of
resources and opportunities to achieve her scientific and professional goals. Specifically, the University's
Institute for Clinical & Translational Science and Medical Center will serve pivotal roles in the candidate's
hospital-based research project. Co-mentors Alex Carter, MD, PhD (Washington University) and Carolee
Winstein, PhD, PT, FAPTA (University of Southern California) will strengthen the candidate's independence in
rsfMRI and clinical research methodology, respectively.
Neuroimaging has the potential to greatly inform clinical decision-making in the context of stroke rehabilitation
by offering unique insight beyond current behavioral-based measures. The candidate will assess sensorimotor
network connectivity in patients with subacute stroke residing in an inpatient rehabilitation facility using
advanced rsfMRI and EEG brain mapping techniques to determine if these functional measures predict motor
recovery and, if so, how well these measurements predict motor recovery in comparison to behavioral and
structural injury measures (Aim 1). The candidate will generate an ideal predictive model of motor recovery and
move this model forward to Aim 2 (R00 phase) where it will be validated in a larger, independent sample,
applied to a longer recovery timeframe, and examined in the presence of several key clinical covariates. The
proposed training and projects under this award will propel the candidate to independence and facilitate a
precision medicine approach to rehabilitation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10222735
- **Project number:** 5R00HD091375-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Jessica M Cassidy
- **Activity code:** R00 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $203,107
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10222735

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10222735, Brain Network Connectivity Measures in Early Stroke Rehabilitation (5R00HD091375-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10222735. Licensed CC0.

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