Anti-inflammatory plus stem cell treatment for traumatic brain injury

Anti-inflammatory and hMSC combination therapy for traumatic brain injury

NIH-funded research James a. Haley VA Medical Center · NIH-11212756

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJames a. Haley VA Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tampa, United States)
Project IDNIH-11212756 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: 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.

Not a fit: 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.

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 performed: 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

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.
Conditions Acquired brain injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.