Developing a new treatment for brain injury in newborns caused by lack of oxygen
Official title: Development of the waixenicin A pharmacophore as a therapeutic intervention for neonatal hypoxic brain injury
Funded at Baylor University · NIH-10768662 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new medicine made from waixenicin A to help newborns who have brain injuries from not getting enough oxygen, with the hope of improving their recovery and reducing long-term problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waco, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $319,516 |
| NIH project number | 5R61NS124922-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10768662 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newborns diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, particularly those who may not be eligible for current treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have hypoxic-ischemic brain injury or those who are beyond the critical treatment window will not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on finding a new therapeutic approach to treat neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI), a serious condition affecting newborns who suffer from oxygen deprivation. The study aims to develop a drug based on waixenicin A, which targets specific cellular processes that are disrupted during such injuries. By exploring the effectiveness of this drug, the research seeks to provide a treatment option that could be used beyond the current standard of care, which has a limited time frame for effectiveness. The goal is to improve outcomes for infants who experience HIBI, potentially reducing long-term neurological disabilities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new treatment that significantly improves survival and reduces disabilities in infants affected by hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing targeted therapies for brain injuries, but the specific approach using waixenicin A is novel and untested in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor University
Waco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Romo, Daniel — Baylor University
- Study coordinator: Romo, Daniel
Related research
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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.