Investigating the use of polymyxin antibiotics for treating severe bacterial infections in the brain
Official title: Pharmacology of intrathecal/intraventricular polymyxins: A systems-based approach
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11003593 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make polymyxin antibiotics work better for people with serious infections in the brain caused by tough-to-treat bacteria, aiming to improve their treatment while minimizing side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | December 22, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $344,692 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AI146241-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003593 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients suffering from central nervous system infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by bacteria that are not multidrug-resistant or those with non-CNS infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on optimizing the use of polymyxin antibiotics, which are critical for treating severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria in the central nervous system. The approach combines systems pharmacology with pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to enhance the effectiveness of these antibiotics while reducing potential side effects. By delivering these medications directly to the site of infection, the study aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from these dangerous infections. The research will analyze how these antibiotics can be used more effectively to combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with severe bacterial infections in the brain, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of polymyxins has been explored, this specific systems-based approach to optimize their use in CNS infections is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rao, Gauri G — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Rao, Gauri G
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.