Improving delivery of a drug to treat a deadly brain infection caused by amoebas
Official title: Optimization of delivery of HEX for treatment of primary amebic encephalitis
Funded at Clemson University · NIH-11102020 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to improve the way a drug called HEX is given to help treat a serious brain infection caused by a germ called Naegleria fowleri, so that it works better and reaches the brain effectively, with hopes of making it a safe treatment option for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clemson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clemson, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $419,375 |
| NIH project number | 1R21TR005502-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11102020 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with primary amebic encephalitis caused by Naegleria fowleri.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain infections or those not infected with Naegleria fowleri may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the delivery of a drug called HEX, which targets a specific enzyme in the Naegleria fowleri amoeba responsible for a severe brain infection. The researchers aim to optimize how HEX is administered to ensure it reaches effective concentrations in the brain, which is crucial for treating this life-threatening condition. They will utilize advanced techniques like mass spectrometry to track the drug's distribution in the brain and evaluate the effectiveness of combining HEX with other medications in animal models. The ultimate goal is to pave the way for HEX to become an approved treatment for infections caused by this amoeba.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new treatment option that significantly improves survival rates for patients infected with Naegleria fowleri.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of optimizing drug delivery for treating brain infections is promising, the specific application of HEX for Naegleria fowleri is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
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Clemson University
Clemson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morris, James Culvin — Clemson University
- Study coordinator: Morris, James Culvin
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.