Anti-inflammatory plus stem cell treatment for traumatic brain injury
Official title: Anti-inflammatory and hMSC combination therapy for traumatic brain injury
Funded at James a. Haley VA Medical Center · NIH-11212756 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether giving an anti-inflammatory medicine before a mesenchymal stem cell therapy helps people with moderate traumatic brain injury recover better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | James a. Haley VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005757-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11212756 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have experienced a recent moderate traumatic brain injury, including military personnel, would be the likely candidates for future clinical trials based on this work.
✕Less likely to help
People with very mild injuries, chronic long-standing brain damage, or medical conditions that block stem cell treatments may be unlikely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers use a mouse model that mimics repeated moderate head injuries to study how brain inflammation affects recovery. They give an anti-inflammatory agent before transplanting human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and track brain healing. Outcomes include behavior and memory tests, plus measurements of inflammation and repair molecules in the brain. The goal is to find a combination approach that could be translated into treatments for people with moderate TBI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce damaging inflammation after TBI and improve memory, thinking, and long-term recovery for people with moderate head injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal studies suggest that reducing inflammation can improve stem cell therapy effects, but clinical evidence for this exact combination in humans is still limited.
Where this research is happening
-
James a. Haley VA Medical Center
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mohapatra, Subhra — James a. Haley VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mohapatra, Subhra
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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.