Investigating how brain cells communicate through tiny particles in the blood.
Official title: Surface Signatures of Neuronal and Glial Extracellular Vesicles
Funded at Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC · NIH-10460520 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at tiny particles released by brain cells that help them communicate, and it's for anyone interested in how these particles can be collected from blood to better understand their role in both healthy and sick brains.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rockville, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2018 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $895,446 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3MH118167-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10460520 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with neurological conditions or those interested in understanding brain health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to brain health or those not providing blood samples may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are small particles secreted by brain cells, play a role in communication within the central nervous system. The team aims to develop a method to capture specific types of EVs from blood samples based on unique surface markers that indicate their origin from particular cell types. By using advanced screening techniques, they will identify these surface signatures and improve the specificity of EV capture, which is crucial for studying their functions in both healthy and diseased brains.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better diagnostic tools and treatments for neurological diseases by enhancing our understanding of brain cell communication.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using surface markers for isolating EVs, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC
Rockville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Routenberg, David Aaron — Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Routenberg, David Aaron
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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.