Investigating blood flow in the brain and under the tongue as indicators of brain health
Official title: Assessment of retinal and sublingual microcirculation as surrogate biomarkers for cerebral microcirculatory dynamics
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10918302 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how blood flow in tiny blood vessels affects brain health in seriously ill patients, especially older folks recovering from brain injuries, to find better ways to check their blood circulation and improve their care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $205,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS135307-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10918302 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include critically ill patients, particularly the elderly, who have experienced acute brain injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable conditions or those not experiencing cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how blood flow in small blood vessels affects brain health, particularly in critically ill patients. It aims to identify new ways to measure microcirculation, which is often overlooked in traditional assessments that focus on larger blood vessels. By examining both retinal and sublingual microcirculation, the study seeks to uncover important relationships between blood flow and cognitive function, especially in elderly patients recovering from brain injuries. The findings could lead to improved management strategies for patients with acute brain injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance recovery strategies for critically ill patients by providing better insights into brain blood flow and its impact on cognitive function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that assessing microcirculation can provide valuable insights into patient outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hoffmann, Ulrike — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hoffmann, Ulrike
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.