Blood test to improve treatment decisions for newborns with brain injury

Blood test to aid treatment decisions for perinatal asphyxiation

NIH-funded research Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC · NIH-10792573

This study is working on a new blood test for newborns who have had a serious lack of oxygen to the brain, called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), to help doctors understand how badly their brains are affected and decide on the best treatments to improve their chances of recovery.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMeso Scale Diagnostics, LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rockville, United States)
Project IDNIH-10792573 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a highly sensitive blood test to measure specific proteins in the blood of newborns who have experienced hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a serious condition caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. By using this test, doctors can better assess the severity of brain injury in affected infants and make more informed treatment decisions, such as whether to use whole body cooling therapy. The goal is to identify which newborns are most likely to benefit from additional treatments, potentially improving their outcomes and reducing the risk of long-term disabilities. The study involves collaboration between academic and industrial partners to validate this innovative testing method.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are newborns diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy who are at risk of severe brain injury.

Not a fit: Patients who are not newborns or those without a diagnosis of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment strategies for newborns with brain injuries, ultimately improving survival rates and reducing disabilities.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using blood tests to assess brain injury in neonates, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in treatment.

Where this research is happening

Rockville, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.