Immune system and inflammation in blast-related brain injury progression
Official title: Evaluating the interaction of the immune system and inflammation on the progression of blast-mediatedneurodegeneration.
Funded at Iowa City VA Medical Center · NIH-11575169 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how the body's immune response after blast-related brain injury may drive ongoing brain and eye damage, with potential therapies that are already approved for other uses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa City VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003389-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11575169 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals who have experienced blast-related traumatic brain injury and are at risk for ongoing neurodegeneration or visual impairment.
✕Less likely to help
If you have a blast-TBI but do not develop immune-mediated complications or visual decline, benefits may be limited.
What this research studies
After blast-related traumatic brain injury, immune cells and autoantibodies may contribute to continued neuron loss and visual decline. The study aims to map which parts of the immune response cause damage, focusing on both cellular and humoral components, including autoantibodies and complement proteins. By identifying key players, researchers hope to point to existing drugs that could be repurposed to slow or prevent neurodegeneration and vision loss. The work will involve analyses in human-relevant models and patient-derived materials to understand mechanisms driving deterioration after blast exposure. The ultimate goal is to open new avenues for therapy to protect brain and eye function in people affected by blast TBI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to new, workable treatment options to reduce brain and vision loss after blast-related brain injury.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown immune involvement in TBI, but this project aims to pinpoint which immune components drive damage and how existing drugs might help.
Where this research is happening
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Iowa City VA Medical Center
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harper, Matthew M. — Iowa City VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Harper, Matthew M.
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.