How immune cells change with age after a head injury
Divergent age-dependent peripheral innate immune response following TBI
This project looks at how immune cells from younger versus older bodies respond after a traumatic brain injury to help explain differences in recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144613 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, the team is studying why age affects the way immune cells contribute to brain damage after head injury. They will compare immune cells from juvenile and adult mice, remove or replace specific immune cells, and use genetic mouse models to test causes. The researchers will measure behavior, examine brain tissue, and use genome-wide analyses on small cell samples to pinpoint molecular differences. Findings will be used to guide ideas for therapies that change immune responses after injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant to people who have experienced a recent traumatic brain injury, especially adolescents and adults across different ages.
Not a fit: People with chronic, long-standing brain conditions unrelated to traumatic injury or those far removed in time from their TBI are unlikely to get direct benefit from this preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new immune-based treatments that reduce brain damage and improve recovery after traumatic brain injury.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies, including replacing adult immune cells with juvenile ones, have shown neuroprotection in mice, but the approach has not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
Blacksburg, United States
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ — Blacksburg, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Theus, Michelle Lee — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Theus, Michelle Lee
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.