How stimulating brain cells may help with traumatic brain injury
Effect of pericyte stimulation on traumatic brain injury pathophysiology
This study is looking at how mild repeated brain injuries affect special cells in the brain that help keep it healthy, and it hopes to find out if boosting these cells can lead to better treatments for people dealing with the effects of such injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Bay Pines VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bay Pines, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10911014 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of brain vascular pericytes, which are crucial for maintaining brain health, in the context of traumatic brain injury (TBI). It focuses on how repetitive mild TBI affects these cells and their function, particularly through the PDGF pathway. By studying the changes in pericyte health after injury, the research aims to determine if stimulating this pathway can improve their function and reduce the negative effects of TBI. Patients may benefit from insights into new treatment strategies that target pericyte health and function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have experienced repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of brain injuries or those who have not experienced repetitive mild TBIs may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve recovery and outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injuries.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of stimulating pericytes in TBI is novel, related research has shown that targeting cellular pathways can lead to improvements in neurodegenerative conditions.
Where this research is happening
Bay Pines, United States
- Bay Pines VA Medical Center — Bay Pines, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bachmeier, Corbin — Bay Pines VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bachmeier, Corbin
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.