NASA Research Funding

Neurogenic Technologies, Inc., in collaboration with The University of Montana’s Physical Therapy Department, has recently been awarded a research grant from the NASA EPSCoR program administered by The Montana Space Grant Consortium. The research project is titled, “Myotonometric measurements of muscle health during prolonged human exposure to microgravity environments.” The project involves collaborations among Dr. Leonard, NTI President and Director of The Motor Control Research Laboratory at The University of Montana, Dr. Alan Hargens, a NASA researcher from The Department of Orthopedics UCSD, and Dr. Daniel Feeback, Head of the Muscle Physiology Laboratories, NASA Johnson Space Center.

Several experiments have been planned. These include an examination of the correlations among Myotonometric measurements of muscle stiffness with those obtained with computerized dynamometry measurements of muscle strength and EMG measurements of muscle activation. The Myotonometer will also be used to assess muscle tone and strength changes associated with 30 days of bedrest. Bedrest studies are used to simulate changes associated with prolonged spaceflights.

NASA Space Act Agreement

A Space Act Agreement has been reached between The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and Neurogenic Technologies, Inc. to initiate research titled, “The Evaluation of Alternatives to Isokinetic Testing for Muscle Tone Assessment.” The agreement acknowledges and protects NTI’s Myotonometer patents and intellectual property. It also permits NTI researchers to use specialized research facilities at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Muscle physiologists at NASA are interested in evaluating The Myotonometer for possible use in manned space missions to assess the effects of microgravity on muscle health.

NASA is in need of a device to monitor astronaut muscle tone and strength during prolonged exposures to microgravity. The Myotonometer meets NASA outlined specifications that include: portability, low energy requirements, non-invasive, easy to use, quantifiable measures, reliable,and unaffected by atmospheric changes.