SPARC Phase 1
Every organ in the body is intricately innervated by nerves, which transmit signals bidirectionally, regulating function and responsiveness. Techniques and medical devices that modulate these neural signals offer a promising approach for treating a wide range of conditions, including hypertension, heart failure, gastrointestinal disorders, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory diseases.
The Common Fund’s Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions (SPARC) program aims to transform our understanding of these nerve-organ interactions and ultimately advance the neuromodulation field towards precise treatment of diseases and conditions for which conventional therapies fall short.
SPARC 1 Investigators
In Phase 1 of the SPARC program, research projects advanced bioelectronic medicine through a multi-pronged approach. Investigators from 76 research teams located around the world brought their expertise and passion to this project. They mapped nerve-organ connections to enhance our understanding of autonomic functions, developed innovative tools for precise nerve modulation, and established translational partnerships to bridge preclinical findings to human studies.
The SPARC Portal
A cutting-edge public resource—the SPARC Portal (sparc.science)—was created to provide researchers with vital information and tools, while efforts to map neural circuits mediating visceral pain underscored the program’s comprehensive approach, with many projects spanning multiple organs and neural targets.
The Common Fund’s Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions (SPARC) program accelerates development of therapeutic devices that modulate electrical activity in nerves to improve organ function. This therapeutic strategy, also known as “bioelectronic medicine,” could offer new treatment options for diverse diseases and conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, gastrointestinal disorders, and more.
The SPARC BioRxiv channel
Read about the progress of the SPARC Program. It was founded in 2015 through a Common Fund initiative by the National Institutes of Health, with the goal of accelerating the development of therapeutic devices that modulate electrical activity in nerves to improve major organ function.
A comprehensive list of policies designed to support transparency, integrity, and compliance in all SPARC-related activities.
