Investigating brain injury in young children with sickle cell disease
Official title: Neuroimaging and Neurocognitive Markers of Brain Injury in Young Children with Sickle Cell Disease
Funded at Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger · NIH-11075862 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $373,331 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168408-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075862 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young children aged 2 to 5 years diagnosed with sickle cell disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 2 to 5 years or those without a diagnosis of sickle cell disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the neurological complications associated with sickle cell disease (SCD) in young children aged 2 to 5 years. It aims to identify silent cerebral infarctions (SCI) using advanced neuroimaging techniques without the need for sedation, which is often a barrier for this age group. The study will involve a combination of neuroimaging, neurocognitive testing, and blood analysis to assess brain injury markers. By following a group of 100 children with SCD over several years, the research seeks to develop a diagnostic tool that can help identify those at risk for further neurological issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention for young children with sickle cell disease, potentially improving their cognitive outcomes and overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have successfully used neuroimaging techniques in older populations with sickle cell disease, but this approach in very young children is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lance, Eboni I — Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger
- Study coordinator: Lance, Eboni I
Related research
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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.