Controlling the Body's Immune Response After Brain Injury
Understanding and Controlling Neuro-immune Interactions Following Traumatic Brain Injury
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · NIH-11175445
This work explores how the body's immune system reacts to a traumatic brain injury and aims to develop new ways to manage this response.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11175445 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
After a traumatic brain injury, cells from the body's immune system can travel to the brain, causing inflammation and making the injury worse. At the same time, the injured brain sends signals that change how the immune system works, potentially leading to long-term health issues. This project seeks to understand exactly when, where, and how these immune cells enter the brain and how the brain injury affects the immune system's overall function. The goal is to create a new treatment using special microparticles loaded into a patient's own immune cells, which would then be given back to them to reduce brain inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational work is for individuals interested in the underlying biology of traumatic brain injury and future therapeutic approaches.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatment or direct participation in a human clinical trial would not directly benefit from this early-stage research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce inflammation and improve recovery for individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain injury.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific therapeutic strategy is novel, other research has highlighted the critical role of the immune system in brain injury recovery.
Where this research is happening
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA — PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WOFFORD, KATHRYN LEIGH — UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- Study coordinator: WOFFORD, KATHRYN LEIGH
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.
Conditions: Acquired brain injury