How certain immune cells change brain circuits after traumatic brain injury
Role of Myeloid And CD4+ T Immune Cells in Post-Traumatic Plasticity
This research tests whether immune cells called myeloid cells and CD4+ T cells drive brain-circuit changes after traumatic brain injury that can cause seizures, sleep problems, and cognitive trouble in people with TBI.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | J. David Gladstone Institutes NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235878 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use a mouse model that mimics moderate traumatic brain injury to follow how inflammation spreads from the injured cortex to the thalamus and alters the cortico‑thalamo‑cortical circuit. They will combine 3D imaging, immune‑cell tracking, and electrical brain recordings to link specific myeloid cells and CD4+ T cells with seizure‑like activity and disrupted sleep patterns. The team will selectively change or block these immune cells to see whether that prevents the delayed circuit changes. Although this work is done in animals, the aim is to identify immune targets that could lead to new treatments for people recovering from TBI.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have experienced a recent moderate traumatic brain injury, especially those showing early seizure activity or new sleep or cognitive problems, would be the most relevant candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: People with epilepsy from non‑traumatic causes or those whose brain injury occurred many years ago may not directly benefit from these specific findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to immune‑targeted therapies that reduce post‑traumatic epilepsy and sleep or cognitive impairments after TBI.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have linked inflammation to post‑TBI seizures and sleep disruption, but focusing on myeloid and CD4+ T cells in the cortico‑thalamo‑cortical circuit is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- J. David Gladstone Institutes — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Paz, Jeanne T — J. David Gladstone Institutes
- Study coordinator: Paz, Jeanne T
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.