Investigating brain processes using tiny particles from blood
Official title: Studying normal and disease processes in brain with extracellular vesicles
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11038846 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at tiny particles in your blood that come from brain cells to find new ways to understand and diagnose brain disorders like mental health issues and substance use, all without needing to take samples directly from the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | March 11, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $271,688 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH138949-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11038846 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with psychiatric or substance use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with brain disorders that do not involve the study of extracellular vesicles may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding brain disorders, particularly psychiatric and substance use disorders, by studying extracellular vesicles (EVs) found in blood. EVs are small particles released by brain cells that carry important biological information, including RNA and proteins. By isolating these vesicles from blood samples, researchers aim to uncover non-invasive biomarkers that can provide insights into brain health and disease. This approach allows for the exploration of brain processes without needing direct access to brain tissue, which is often difficult to obtain from living patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment options for patients with brain disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using EVs to study brain processes is innovative, there have been preliminary studies suggesting the potential of EVs as biomarkers in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Den Oord, Edwin — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Van Den Oord, Edwin
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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.