# The Injectrode - A Truly Injectable Electrode for Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation to Treat Pain

> **NIH NIH U18** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2021 · $317,164

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract:
Clinical trials targeting the reduction of amyloid-β and hyperphosphorylated tau load have been largely
unsuccessful against neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s (AD) and AD-related dementias
(ADRD). This may be due to the relatively late stage at which they are deployed, wherein cognitive symptoms
are already manifest and the underlying inflammatory and degenerative processes are well underway.
Conversely, prophylactic intervention aims to prevent or mitigate initiation of harmful, self-propagating disease
processes before they become uncontrollable. For a treatment to be used prophylactically, ie before the
presence of significant symptoms, it must be ‘trivially invasive’, simple to use, and inexpensive. This is critical for
the expected benefits when deployed before symptoms to outweigh the potential risks.
 In this supplement, we propose a novel application of the minimally invasive InjectrodeTM technology
outlined in the parent award to treat pain, to target brain waste clearance and cerebral hemodynamics through
cranial nerve stimulation as a potential prophylactic strategy to combat AD. The Injectrode consists of a polymer
matrix which is liquid in a syringe but quickly cures into a solid form when injected into the body. This technology
offers many advantages over traditionally made electrodes amenable to prophylactic use including minimally
invasive implantation (a simple injection). The successful completion of these aims would provide pilot data
demonstrating the Injectrode concept can be utilized to improve the clearance of molecules within the brain,
while identifying likely physiological components driving CSF/ISF interchange for future optimization.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10286333
- **Project number:** 3U18EB029251-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** Kip A Ludwig
- **Activity code:** U18 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $317,164
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-09-30 → 2023-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10286333

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10286333, The Injectrode - A Truly Injectable Electrode for Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation to Treat Pain (3U18EB029251-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10286333. Licensed CC0.

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