Brain fluid buildup and brain wiring after bleeding in very premature babies
Effects of ventricular volume and cerebral connectivity on neurological outcomes in preterm intraventricular hemorrhage
Sees if larger fluid-filled spaces and changes in brain connections are linked to thinking and movement problems in very premature babies who had brain bleeding.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11260195 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your baby was born very early and had bleeding in the brain, researchers will use MRI scans to measure ventricle (fluid space) size and to look at the brain's wiring and activity. They will compare these imaging measures with how children do on developmental tests over time to find patterns tied to disability. The team will pay special attention to key white matter tracts and brain networks and how enlarged ventricles might worsen connectivity. This work aims to clarify which imaging features predict outcomes so doctors can better target care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Very preterm infants (born ≤32 weeks) who experienced intraventricular hemorrhage and/or post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children without a history of preterm intraventricular hemorrhage or hydrocephalus, or those with unrelated brain conditions, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help identify infants at highest risk for poor development and guide surgical or supportive decisions to protect brain connections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous imaging studies have suggested links between ventricular enlargement, disrupted connectivity, and poor outcomes, but this project uses more detailed connectivity measures to clarify those relationships.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smyser, Christopher Daniel — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Smyser, Christopher Daniel
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 below.