Hyperbaric oxygen treatment to help severe brain injury
Official title: Hyperbaric Oxygen Brain Injury Treatment (HOBIT) Trial
Funded at Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute · NIH-11376526 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study testing whether giving high-pressure oxygen right after a severe brain injury can improve brain recovery and outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2017 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,557,915 |
| NIH project number | 5U01NS095926-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11376526 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with severe traumatic brain injury who are eligible for hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with contraindications to hyperbaric oxygen or those not experiencing suitable criteria for HBOT may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on people who have suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and explores how hyperbaric oxygen therapy given early after injury might protect brain cells, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. It builds on earlier small studies to find the best pressure settings and whether following with normal-oxygen therapy adds benefit. Researchers will test treatment parameters and monitor safety, brain metabolism markers, and functional recovery to plan a future larger trial. The goal is to identify a treatment approach that could improve survival and long-term brain function for TBI patients. The study is conducted at Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute in Minneapolis under the leadership of Gaylan L. Rockswold.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with severe brain injury could have better neurological recovery and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Early-phase studies suggest potential benefits in metabolism and outcomes, but a definitive phase III result is still needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rockswold, Gaylan L — Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Rockswold, Gaylan L
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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.