Investigating the role of mural stem cells in brain development and hemorrhage in preterm infants
Official title: Mural stem cells in normal development and germinal matrix hemorrhage in the preterm human brain
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10991694 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special cells in the brain help form blood vessels, especially in preterm babies who might have bleeding in the brain, to better understand their development and find new ways to help them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2020 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $229,878 |
| NIH project number | 5K08NS116161-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991694 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are preterm infants who are at risk for developing brain hemorrhages.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not preterm or do not have a history of brain hemorrhage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how mural stem cells contribute to the development of blood vessels in the brain, particularly in preterm infants who are at risk for brain hemorrhages. By using advanced techniques like Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting and single cell RNA sequencing, the study aims to identify different stages and types of mural cells during brain development. The findings could help clarify the mechanisms behind brain injuries in preterm infants and potentially lead to new treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for brain hemorrhages in preterm infants.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on adult brain blood vessels, this approach focusing on developing human brain vasculature is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crouch, Elizabeth Erin — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Crouch, Elizabeth Erin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Brain fluid buildup and brain wiring after bleeding in very premature babies
Sees if larger fluid-filled spaces and changes in brain connections are linked to thinking and movement problems in very premature babies who had brain bleeding.
-
Safety of combining erythropoietin and melatonin for very preterm infants with brain bleeds
A Johns Hopkins team is testing a combination of melatonin and erythropoietin to help very preterm babies who have intraventricular hemorrhage avoid longer-term brain problems.
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Understanding epilepsy risk in very preterm infants with brain hemorrhage
This study is looking at how very premature babies who have serious bleeding in the brain might develop epilepsy and other developmental challenges, and it aims to find early signs that could help doctors identify these risks so they can provide better care and support for these little ones.
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Impact of brain fluid volume on neurological outcomes in preterm infants with bleeding
This study looks at how the amount of fluid in the brains of very preterm babies with brain bleeding affects their development and thinking skills, with the hope of finding ways to help them grow and learn better.
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Wearable tech to track blood loss during childbirth
A wearable device monitors cardiovascular signals to detect postpartum hemorrhage early so clinicians can act quickly to protect mothers.
-
SATURN MRI ancillary study: statins after intracerebral hemorrhage and brain MRI markers
This study looks at what happens to brain MRI markers and health outcomes when people with a specific type of brain bleed continue or stop taking statins.
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.