How fatty acids change after newborn brain injury
Official title: Coordination of fatty acid metabolism following neonatal brain injury from preterm birth
Funded at Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger · NIH-11332033 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how energy from fats in the brain changes after a baby’s brain injury from being born early and how this affects brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $364,094 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS125653-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332033 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Newborns who have sustained brain injury around the time of preterm birth or during the neonatal period, and whose clinical teams are monitoring metabolic status.
✕Less likely to help
This research is focused on fundamental brain metabolism and may not directly provide a treatment during its early phases.
What this research studies
This project looks at how fatty acid production and breakdown in the developing brain respond to injury in newborns. By using existing data and experimental models, scientists will map when and how fatty acids are made or used for energy after injury and how this affects brain growth. The work aims to connect metabolic changes with possible delays in neurodevelopment, with findings that could guide future therapies. The research could help families understand the metabolic factors behind recovery after neonatal brain injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, results could lead to new approaches that support brain energy balance and development after neonatal brain injury.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work suggests metabolic shifts in fatty acid use after neonatal brain injury, with potential implications for recovery.
Where this research is happening
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Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scafidi, Joseph — Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger
- Study coordinator: Scafidi, Joseph
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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.