How the brain clears fluid and immune cells during tuberculosis infection
The role of lymphatic clearance in brain TB
This project looks at whether and how the brain's lymphatic drainage changes during brain tuberculosis to better understand what drives swelling and tissue damage in people with CNS TB.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330518 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You will hear about research that examines the lymphatic vessels around the brain to see if they change during central nervous system tuberculosis and how well they remove fluid, waste, and immune cells. The team will measure formation of new lymphatic vessels and key signals like VEGFC, use laboratory models and tissue analyses to track fluid and cell drainage, and test what happens when vessel growth is blocked. They will link those changes to inflammation, cerebral edema, and tissue injury that cause symptoms and cognitive problems. These experiments aim to point toward ways to support brain clearance and reduce damage from brain TB.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people diagnosed with central nervous system (brain) tuberculosis, such as tuberculous meningitis or confirmed CNS TB involvement.
Not a fit: People with only pulmonary tuberculosis, without CNS involvement, or those with extensive irreversible brain injury are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new approaches that reduce brain swelling and tissue damage by improving lymphatic clearance in people with CNS tuberculosis.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work in Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease and autoimmune models has shown lymphatic drainage affects disease course, but applying these findings specifically to CNS tuberculosis is new.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sandor, Matyas — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Sandor, Matyas
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.