NIH-funded research R01 grant

Investigating how brain cells affect brain connectivity in infants after injury

Official title: Role of interneurons in resting state fMRI connectivity during normal development and after perinatal brain injury

Funded at Endeavor Health Clinical Operations · NIH-10914861 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how certain brain cells help newborns' brains connect and communicate, especially after injuries, to find early signs of potential learning or behavior challenges, so we can help those babies get the support they need as soon as possible.

More Brain Injury research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEndeavor Health Clinical Operations
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Evanston, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2021
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$439,758
NIH project number5R01NS119251-04
Project IDNIH-10914861 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include newborns who have experienced hypoxic-ischemic brain injuries, as well as healthy infants for comparison.

Less likely to help

Patients who are older than 4 weeks or those without any history of brain injury may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research explores the role of specific brain cells called interneurons in how the brain connects and communicates during normal development and after brain injuries in newborns. By using a non-invasive imaging technique called resting state functional MRI (rsfMRI), the study aims to identify early indicators of cognitive and behavioral issues that may arise from perinatal brain injuries. The goal is to understand the mechanisms behind brain connectivity and to develop objective measures that can predict long-term outcomes for affected infants. This could lead to earlier interventions and better support for children at risk of developmental impairments.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide early diagnostic tools to identify infants at risk for cognitive and behavioral deficits, allowing for timely interventions.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using rsfMRI to assess brain connectivity in infants, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • Endeavor Health Clinical Operations
    Evanston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Drobyshevsky, Alexander — Endeavor Health Clinical Operations
  • Study coordinator: Drobyshevsky, Alexander

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.