3D lab-grown model of brain blood vessels to test treatments for subarachnoid hemorrhage
Official title: Development of a 3D neurovascular unit for in vitro modeling of subarachnoid hemorrhage and screening therapies
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11190419 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project builds a 3D lab model of brain blood vessels to try new therapies that could help people who have subarachnoid hemorrhage (brain bleeding).
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00NS133399-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11190419 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have experienced subarachnoid hemorrhage or their caregivers who want to follow research progress or potentially donate biological samples in future related studies would be the most relevant audience.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without subarachnoid hemorrhage or those needing immediate clinical care are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this lab-focused project in the short term.
What this research studies
The team is creating a 3D microfluidic device that mimics the brain's neurovascular unit using biomimetic hydrogels and 3D printing. They will recreate damage like subarachnoid hemorrhage inside the device and expose it to dual-targeted nanoparticles as potential therapies. Experts in vascular biology, neurological disease, and nanoparticle therapeutics will guide the experiments and training. This work is lab-based (in vitro) and is intended to speed up finding promising treatments before animal or human testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify treatments more quickly that reduce brain injury and improve recovery after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
How similar studies have gone: Using 3D microfluidic brain models and nanoparticle therapies is an emerging approach with promising early laboratory results but limited clinical proof so far.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'grady, Brian J — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: O'grady, Brian J
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.