Gut-borne particles and PTSD after brain injury
Official title: Investigating the role of gut-derived extracellular vesicles in PTSD following TBI
Funded at Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences · NIH-11384595 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-research team is studying how tiny gut-borne vesicles might influence PTSD and anxiety after a brain injury, with findings that could lead to new ways to help patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $463,308 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS133347-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384595 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with traumatic brain injury who are at risk for PTSD or related psychiatric symptoms could be relevant for future translational steps or biomarker studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without TBI or PTSD may not directly benefit from this grant.
What this research studies
This project looks at how gut-derived extracellular vesicles may affect brain inflammation and serotonin pathways after traumatic brain injury, which are linked to PTSD and mood disorders. Researchers will use animal models and human samples to explore how gut bacteria and their vesicles alter tryptophan/serotonin metabolism and brain signals following injury. The work aims to map cause-and-effect relationships and test potential probiotic or molecular targets to prevent or reduce psychiatric symptoms after TBI. Results could point to new, biologically informed strategies to reduce PTSD and anxiety in people who have experienced brain injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal targets for preventing or mitigating PTSD and related mood symptoms after brain injury.
How similar studies have gone: Existing studies link gut microbiota and mental health; this project aims to clarify mechanisms in the context of TBI, which is still exploratory but builds on promising correlations.
Where this research is happening
-
Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
East Lansing, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Xianshuang — Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Liu, Xianshuang
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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.