Investigating how traumatic brain injury may lead to dementia.
Official title: Establishing Mechanisms Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Dementia Using Epidemiology, Clinical Studies, Blood-Based Biomarkers, and Neuroimaging Biomarkers
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11082476 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a traumatic brain injury (TBI) might increase the chances of developing dementia, and it’s for anyone who has had a TBI and wants to help us understand how it affects brain health over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $229,270 |
| NIH project number | 5K23NS123340-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11082476 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have suffered a traumatic brain injury and are at risk for cognitive decline or dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a traumatic brain injury or do not have cognitive decline may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the risk of developing dementia. It aims to understand the underlying mechanisms, such as vascular dysfunction and neuroinflammation, that may link TBI to cognitive decline. By utilizing epidemiological data, clinical studies, and biomarkers from blood and neuroimaging, the research seeks to identify how TBI accelerates neurodegeneration over time. Patients may be involved in providing data or samples to help uncover these important relationships.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and potential interventions for preventing dementia in individuals who have experienced TBI.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a link between TBI and increased dementia risk, but this specific approach to studying the mechanisms is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schneider, Andrea Lauren Christman — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Schneider, Andrea Lauren Christman
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Traumatic Brain Injury Across Life: How TBI Relates to Later Dementia Risk
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Investigating how certain enzymes affect recovery from brain injuries and dementia.
This study is looking at how certain enzymes might help the brain heal after a traumatic brain injury and how they could be connected to dementia, with the hope that what we learn could lead to better treatments for both conditions.
-
AI-enhanced virtual reality tool to support remote emergency brain surgery training in Tanzania
A new AI-powered virtual reality tool helps non-experts in low-resource areas get real-time remote guidance for emergency traumatic brain injury surgery.
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.