A new treatment to protect the brains of premature infants from injury
Official title: A Novel BDNF Potentiator for the Treatment of Neonatal Brain Injury
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11063171 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment to help protect the brains of premature babies who have low oxygen levels, aiming to improve their brain health and development by using a special compound that boosts important signals in the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $214,733 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS133544-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063171 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are premature infants diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not premature or do not have hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel treatment to prevent brain damage in premature infants suffering from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The approach involves enhancing the signaling of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is crucial for brain health and development. By using a specially designed compound that targets specific proteins in the brain, the researchers aim to improve the survival of neurons and reduce damage caused by oxygen deprivation. This innovative strategy seeks to address the limitations of current therapies, which only provide supportive care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a groundbreaking treatment that significantly improves outcomes for infants with brain injuries, potentially reducing the incidence of intellectual impairment and cerebral palsy.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been various approaches to treating neonatal brain injuries, this specific method of enhancing BDNF signaling through targeted compounds is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marshall, John — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Marshall, John
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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.