Investigating how cytomegalovirus affects recovery from concussions
Official title: The role of cytomegalovirus in the physiological and clinical effects of concussion
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11012418 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how having cytomegalovirus (CMV) might affect how athletes recover from concussions, and it’s for athletes who have had a concussion and want to understand their recovery better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | January 17, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $407,525 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS135776-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11012418 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include athletes who have experienced a sport-related concussion and have undergone relevant assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a concussion or those with pre-existing neurological conditions unrelated to CMV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) on the recovery process following sport-related concussions (SRC). By analyzing data from a cohort of athletes, the study will assess how CMV serostatus influences physiological and clinical outcomes after a concussion. Participants will undergo MRI scans, clinical assessments, and blood tests at various stages, including pre-injury and post-injury, to identify potential modifiable factors that could personalize treatment and improve recovery. The goal is to enhance understanding of SRC and develop better prognostic models for recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved recovery strategies for individuals suffering from concussions.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of CMV in other inflammatory diseases has been studied, this specific investigation into its effects on concussion recovery is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meier, Timothy B. — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Meier, Timothy B.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Finding a cure for sickle cell disease
The Cure Sickle Cell Initiative is bringing together patients, families, and caregivers to work together on finding a cure for sickle cell disease using safe genetic therapies, with the goal of improving lives and speeding up the development of new treatments.
-
A portable device to measure radiation dose and exposure uniformity after a large radiation event
A field-ready, nail-based device uses advanced spectroscopy and smart software to quickly estimate how much radiation a person has received and how evenly they were exposed, within minutes.
-
Ethics of Engaging Patient Groups in Drug Development for Rare Diseases
This grant asks how patient and family groups can ethically help shape rare-disease drug development from idea to market, with input from patients, families, doctors, and researchers.
-
Renovation of the Biophysics Resources at MCW
This grant funds upgrading a core biophysics facility at the Medical College of Wisconsin to support advanced research in human biology.
-
Cure Sickle Cell: Advancing Gene Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease
A national initiative to move safer genetic therapies for sickle cell disease forward with patient, caregiver, and advocate involvement.
-
Health insurance transitions for older adults with HIV on Medicare
Older adults with HIV face complex Medicare coverage that can affect access to HIV treatment and care.
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.