Amnion cell secretions as a nasal therapy to protect the brain after repeated head injury

Amnion cell secretome mediated therapy for traumatic brain injury

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · JAMES A. HALEY VA MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11239762

This research tests whether a nasal treatment made from amnion cell secretions can help protect the brain and improve thinking, mood, and movement after repeated mild head injuries.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorJAMES A. HALEY VA MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded)
Locations1 site (TAMPA, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11239762 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This project uses a mouse model of repeated mild traumatic brain injury to see if a delayed, ongoing intranasal treatment called ST266 can reduce long-term brain problems. Mice will receive five mild head injuries and then get chronic nasal doses of ST266 to see if it improves memory, anxiety, sensory responses, and motor skills. Scientists will study brain tissue and inflammation to understand how the treatment affects healing and disease progression. The study will also compare outcomes in male and female animals to learn about sex differences in response.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Eventually, people who have experienced repeated mild traumatic brain injuries—such as veterans with blast exposures or athletes with multiple concussions—would be the likely candidates for this approach.

Not a fit: People with a single severe traumatic brain injury, non-traumatic neurological diseases, or injuries far in the past may not benefit from findings focused on repetitive mild TBI.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a nasal therapy that lowers long-term brain damage and improves cognitive, emotional, and motor recovery after repeated mild TBIs.

How similar studies have performed: Secretome-based and amnion-derived therapies have shown neuroprotective effects in animal models, but using intranasal ST266 for repeated mild TBI is relatively new and has not yet been proven in humans.

Where this research is happening

TAMPA, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Acquired brain injury

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.