Ursula S. Hofstoetter

Papers

Total Citations

172

H-Index

About

Ursula S. Hofstoetter is a leading neuroscientist whose research focuses on spinal cord injury, neuromodulation, and the neural control of locomotion. Her major contributions center on understanding how the human spinal circuitry can generate rhythmic motor output even after complete spinal cord injury, particularly through the use of transcutaneous electrical stimulation and sensory feedback. Her most-cited work, "Spinal Rhythm Generation by Step-Induced Feedback and Transcutaneous Posterior Root Stimulation in Complete Spinal Cord–Injured Individuals" (2015, 137 citations), demonstrated that the lumbosacral spinal cord can produce locomotor-like activity when appropriately stimulated, offering a non-invasive approach to restoring movement. In her follow-up study, "Probing the Human Spinal Locomotor Circuits by Phasic Step-Induced Feedback and by Tonic Electrical and Pharmacological Neuromodulation" (2017, 35 citations), she further explored how tonic electrical and pharmacological interventions can activate spinal central pattern generators. Hofstoetter’s work has profound implications for rehabilitation, providing evidence that targeted neuromodulation can bypass damaged pathways and enable stepping in individuals with paralysis. Her research bridges basic neuroscience and clinical application, making her a pivotal figure in advancing spinal cord injury therapies.