How orexin affects recovery from brain injuries
Official title: Orexin regulation of responses to brain injury
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-10798292 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $220,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS128745-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10798292 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a mild traumatic brain injury or those with severe brain injuries may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cohen, Akiva S — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Cohen, Akiva S
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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.