Identifying brain injury markers in adults with sickle cell disease
Official title: Biomarkers of ischemic brain injury in adults with sickle cell disease
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11018577 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sickle cell disease impacts the brain in adults, aiming to find signs that show if someone is at risk for strokes, so we can create better ways to keep you healthy and prevent complications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $641,009 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL155207-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018577 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with sickle cell disease who are at risk for stroke and other brain complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of sickle cell disease or those who are not adults may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how sickle cell disease affects the brain, particularly looking for biomarkers that indicate brain injury and the risk of stroke in adults. By studying these biomarkers, the research aims to develop better screening tools to identify adults at risk for strokes and other complications associated with sickle cell disease. The approach involves a longitudinal study where patients will be assessed over time to evaluate their brain health and response to treatments. This could lead to improved care and prevention strategies for adults living with this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification and prevention of strokes in adults with sickle cell disease, ultimately improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in identifying biomarkers for stroke risk in other populations, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights for adults with sickle cell disease.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jordan, Lori Chaffin — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Jordan, Lori Chaffin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Finding early brain injury signs in young children with sickle cell disease
This project uses child-friendly MRI scans, age‑appropriate thinking tests, and blood markers to find early brain injury signs in kids with sickle cell disease aged about 2–5 years.
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Investigating brain injury in young children with sickle cell disease
This study is looking at how sickle cell disease can affect the brains of young children aged 2 to 5, using special imaging techniques that don’t require sedation, to help find hidden brain injuries and create a tool to spot kids who might need extra care in the future.
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Digital twins of the spleen to help design better therapies for sickle cell disease
A computer-driven replica of the spleen is being developed to speed up creating safer and more effective treatments for people with sickle cell disease.
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Waixenicin A-based therapy for newborn brain injury
A new drug-target approach aims to protect babies’ brains after oxygen deprivation at birth.
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AI-enhanced virtual reality tool to support remote emergency brain surgery training in Tanzania
A new AI-powered virtual reality tool helps non-experts in low-resource areas get real-time remote guidance for emergency traumatic brain injury surgery.
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Accelerating hydroxyurea use for sickle cell disease in Nigeria
A pragmatic study in Nigeria aims to help doctors use hydroxyurea more consistently for people with sickle cell disease.
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.