Brainstem arousal development and its link to sudden infant death
Brainstem Arousal Network in Human Consciousness: Healthy development vs SIDS
['FUNDING_R01'] · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · NIH-11259422
This project looks at how the brainstem circuits that help babies wake up develop and how problems there might lead to sudden infant death (SIDS).
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11259422 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team maps the brainstem areas that control arousal and breathing in infants and compares them to cases of SIDS. They use detailed tissue studies, serotonin (5-HT) markers, and 3-D visualization to trace nerve fiber connections between core brainstem nuclei and other arousal centers. The work compares samples across ages to understand normal development versus the patterns seen in SIDS. Findings come from human brain tissue and high-resolution anatomical analyses to pinpoint possible vulnerabilities during a critical developmental window.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are families of infants who experienced sudden unexpected death who can consent to postmortem brain donation, along with sources of age-matched control infant or adult tissue for comparison.
Not a fit: People looking for immediate treatments or parents without the ability or willingness to donate tissue should not expect direct personal benefit from this basic-anatomy research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal biological markers or targets that help identify infants at higher risk of SIDS and guide future screening or prevention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research, including work from this group, has repeatedly found serotonin-related abnormalities in brainstem regions of SIDS cases, so this builds on established but still incomplete evidence.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ZOLLEI, LILLA — MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: ZOLLEI, LILLA
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.