How orexin affects recovery from brain injuries

Orexin regulation of responses to brain injury

NIH-funded research Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-10798292

This study is looking at how certain brain chemicals called orexins might help people recover from mild traumatic brain injuries, especially if they've experienced stress before the injury, to find better ways to support healing and improve recovery.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionChildren's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-10798292 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of orexins, which are neuropeptides, in the recovery process following mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI). It aims to understand how stress exposure prior to an mTBI may influence the severity of symptoms and recovery outcomes. By studying the activity of orexin neurons, the research seeks to uncover potential mechanisms that could mitigate the negative effects of stress on brain injury recovery. This could lead to new therapeutic strategies for improving patient outcomes after mTBI.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced mild traumatic brain injuries and may be suffering from symptoms such as poor memory, attention issues, or anxiety.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced a mild traumatic brain injury or those with severe brain injuries may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for individuals recovering from mild traumatic brain injuries by addressing the impact of stress on recovery.

How similar studies have performed: While the role of orexins in brain injury recovery is not extensively studied, related research has shown promise in understanding neuropeptides' effects on behavioral outcomes after injuries.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.