Investigating how dysfunctional cell recycling affects brain injury after blood flow loss
Official title: Dysfunctional organelle-specific autophagy leads to brain ischemia-reperfusion injury
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10981122 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how problems with recycling certain cells in the brain can cause injuries after events like heart attacks or mini-strokes, using a special mouse model to learn more about how damaged parts of cells affect brain health, which could help find new treatments for people experiencing these kinds of brain injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $608,787 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS134895-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10981122 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced transient ischemic attacks, cardiac arrest, or other conditions leading to brain ischemia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic neurological conditions unrelated to ischemic events may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how problems with a specific type of cell recycling, known as mitophagy, can lead to brain injuries following events like cardiac arrest or transient ischemic attacks. By studying a unique mouse model that lacks a crucial protein for this recycling process, researchers aim to uncover how damaged mitochondria contribute to brain injury and long-term neurological issues. The approach involves examining the accumulation of damaged cellular components and their effects on brain health after ischemic events. Patients may benefit from insights gained that could lead to new treatments for brain injuries caused by reduced blood flow.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies to reduce brain damage and improve recovery for patients who experience ischemic events.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of mitophagy in brain injury, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Bingren — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Hu, Bingren
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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.