Investigating how iron buildup affects brain implants and how to protect against it
Official title: Effects of Iron Accumulation in Intracortical Implants and Protection by Iron Chelation
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11061907 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how too much iron in the brain from tiny implants can cause problems, and it will test a medication called deferasirox to see if it can help reduce the iron and make the implants work better for people who need them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $488,938 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS126269-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061907 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with motor disabilities who may benefit from neuroprosthetic devices or brain-computer interfaces.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without motor disabilities or those who do not require implanted neurotechnology may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the effects of iron accumulation in the brain caused by microelectrodes (ME) implanted for neurophysiological applications. It aims to understand how excess iron leads to oxidative stress and inflammation, which can impair the functionality of these implants. The researchers will explore the use of an iron chelator, deferasirox, to reduce iron levels and improve the long-term performance of these devices. By employing various techniques, including transcriptomics, they will assess the inflammatory responses in brain tissue surrounding the implants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the effectiveness and longevity of brain implants used in treating motor disabilities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing oxidative stress and inflammation can improve the performance of neural implants, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prasad, Abhishek — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Prasad, Abhishek
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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.