Investigating how food allergies affect brain inflammation and damage.
Official title: The role of peripheral immune cell activity in food-allergy-induced neuroinflammation and demyelination
Funded at University of North Dakota · NIH-11049123 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how food allergies might affect the brain and behavior, even if you don’t have a serious allergic reaction, to help us understand how these allergies could impact brain health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Dakota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Forks, United States) |
| Project start | April 18, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $349,135 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI168563-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11049123 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with food allergies, particularly those experiencing neurological symptoms or related disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without food allergies or those not experiencing any neurological symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between food allergies and brain dysfunction, particularly focusing on how immune responses to food allergens can lead to neuroinflammation and demyelination. Using animal models, the study examines the effects of food allergies on behavior and brain health, even in the absence of severe allergic reactions. By simulating frequent allergen exposure, researchers aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms that link food allergies to changes in brain function and structure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into how food allergies contribute to neurological disorders, potentially improving treatment options for affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the connection between food allergies and brain dysfunction is being explored, this specific approach using animal models to investigate the mechanisms is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nagamoto-Combs, Kumi — University of North Dakota
- Study coordinator: Nagamoto-Combs, Kumi
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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.