The Reeve Foundation Honors Reggie Edgerton, PhD

Widely considered the “father of modern spinal neuromodulation,” Dr. Reggie Edgerton spent nearly half a century advancing research on electrical stimulation of the spinal cord to restore function. His work challenged long-held assumptions that recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) was impossible and helped pave the way for many of today’s most innovative therapeutic approaches.

A distinguished professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, Dr. Edgerton held appointments in integrative biology and physiology, neurobiology, and neurosurgery, and was a member of the Brain Research Institute. His research focused on the plasticity of spinal neural networks and demonstrated how epidural stimulation, combined with pharmacological interventions, could improve motor function after SCI and other neurological conditions. 

In 2000, Christopher Reeve visited Dr. Edgerton’s lab, marking the beginning of a long-standing relationship with the Foundation. We were proud to support his work and benefit from his guidance -- both as a member of our International Research Consortium on Spinal Cord Injury and as Scientific Advisor, including on a groundbreaking, multi-year epidural stimulation trial. Dr. Edgerton was also a strong advocate for centering the voices of people living with SCI in research, ensuring their needs and experiences informed scientific progress. 

Many recent advancements in spinal cord stimulation can be traced directly to his research and leadership. Most recently, he co-founded SpineX, a clinical-stage MedTech company developing noninvasive spinal cord modulation technologies to improve autonomic functions, including bladder, bowel, and sexual function. 

Dr. Edgerton’s legacy continues in the breakthroughs he helped make possible and in the countless individuals whose lives are being transformed by them. His vision fundamentally reshaped how the field understands SCI, not as a permanent endpoint, but as a condition with real potential for recovery. We are deeply grateful for his partnership, mentorship, and unwavering belief in what science can achieve.