# Role of Axonal Sprouting Mediated Network Reorganization in Stroke Recovery

> **NIH NS K08** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2026 · $198,676

## Abstract

The goal of this mentored career development award is to facilitate the candidate’s transition to independence
as a physician-scientist studying the molecular and neuronal mechanisms of stroke recovery. The candidate is
an MD/PhD neurologist with a background in synaptic physiology and cortical network research. The award will
help the candidate gain research experience in the mechanisms of network recovery after ischemic stroke and
will facilitate his transition to an investigator with an independent laboratory. The award will also help position
the candidate to achieve his long term goal of becoming a successful and productive physician-scientist, a leader
in academic neurology, and a mediator of translational research which improves the lives of patients suffering
from acute brain injury. The environment in which the proposed research will be conducted is outstanding. The
candidate’s co-mentor, Dr. Jin-Moo Lee, is an internationally recognized scientist and neurologist with a proven
track record of excellence in training junior faculty. The candidate’s career development plan also includes
structured mentorship from multiple physician-scientists at all stages of seniority and exposure to a rich and
supportive faculty, ensuring the candidate has role models along the full spectrum of the career trajectory.
Didactic learning, presentation at scientific meetings, and rigorous training in the responsible conduct of research
will ensure balanced development. The proposed research will examine the role of axonal sprouting in restoration
of both local cortical circuits and secondary reconnection to global brain networks. Recovery after focal cortical
stroke is associated with remapping of the function of the infarcted region to adjacent, non-infarcted cortex.
Recovery is also associated with restoration of disrupted functionally connected networks. While both
phenomena (local circuit remapping and restoration of functional connectivity) are strongly associated with stro

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11301819
- **Project number:** 5K08NS117888-05
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Asher Jefferson Albertson
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NS
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $198,676
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-04-15T00:00:00 → 2027-03-31T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11301819

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11301819, Role of Axonal Sprouting Mediated Network Reorganization in Stroke Recovery (5K08NS117888-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-07-06 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11301819. Licensed CC0.

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