Eye-based ultrasound to detect dangerous brain pressure in children with hydrocephalus
Official title: Eye as a Window into Brain Health in Pediatric Hydrocephalus
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11326704 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses a special eye ultrasound with injected contrast to spot dangerously high brain pressure and low brain blood flow in children with hydrocephalus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $678,495 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS126469-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11326704 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with hydrocephalus who are being monitored for worsening symptoms or for decisions about shunt timing would be the most likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Children without hydrocephalus, those with unrelated eye conditions that prevent ocular ultrasound, or patients who need immediate emergency surgery would not directly benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
If your child has hydrocephalus, researchers are working on an eye ultrasound test that could show when brain pressure or blood flow is dangerous. The team uses high-speed contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in a pediatric-like pig model to measure ocular blood flow changes that track intracranial pressure and brain ischemia. They will compare those eye blood flow signals to direct measures of brain pressure and injury to see which markers are most reliable. The goal is to validate eye-based signals so doctors might avoid risky invasive pressure monitors in children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let doctors detect and treat dangerous brain pressure earlier while avoiding invasive intracranial monitoring in some children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous noninvasive eye-based techniques have shown promise but none have matched invasive intracranial pressure monitoring, and applying contrast-enhanced ocular ultrasound is a newer, still-unproven approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hwang, Misun — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Hwang, Misun
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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.