Improving brain health after traumatic injury by enhancing glutamate transport
Official title: Mitigating Post-Traumatic Epileptogenesis by Enhancing Synaptic Glutamate Transport via Long-Term Non-Bactericidal Beta-Lactam Administration
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11051806 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help prevent epilepsy that can happen after a brain injury by using a special medication that helps clear out a harmful substance in the brain, and it aims to offer a safer and easier treatment option for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $265,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS135389-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11051806 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain injury and are at risk of developing post-traumatic epilepsy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a traumatic brain injury or those with pre-existing epilepsy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to prevent epilepsy that can develop after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) by enhancing the transport of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that can cause neuronal damage when present in excess. The approach involves using a non-bactericidal beta-lactam antibiotic, clavulanic acid, which has shown promise in increasing the expression of a protein that helps clear glutamate from the brain. By administering this treatment over a longer period, the goal is to mitigate the harmful effects of glutamate and reduce the risk of developing post-traumatic epilepsy. Patients may benefit from a safer, more effective treatment option that can be taken orally rather than through injections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new oral treatment option to prevent epilepsy in patients who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that similar approaches using beta-lactam antibiotics can be effective in animal models, indicating potential for success in human applications.
Where this research is happening
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Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rotenberg, Alexander — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Rotenberg, Alexander
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.