Investigating treatments for post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus in infants
Official title: Targeting the Choroid Plexus-Cerebrospinal Fluid System to Treat Post-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11221537 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to help premature babies with post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus, a condition caused by bleeding in the brain, by finding better treatments that improve the balance of fluid in their brains and reduce damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $49,053 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS129823-03S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11221537 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are premature infants who have experienced intraventricular hemorrhage and are at risk for developing post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 21 years or who do not have a history of intraventricular hemorrhage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding and treating post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH), a condition that affects premature infants due to bleeding in the brain. The study aims to explore how the choroid plexus, which produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and macrophages, which help clear blood from the ventricles, can be manipulated to improve CSF balance and reduce brain damage. By examining the mechanisms behind CSF production and removal, the research seeks to develop targeted therapies that could alleviate the symptoms of PHH. Patients may benefit from new treatment options that address the underlying causes of this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for infants suffering from post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus, potentially reducing neurological deficits.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding CSF dynamics and treatments for hydrocephalus, indicating that this approach may lead to meaningful advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lehtinen, Maria — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Lehtinen, Maria
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting the brain’s fluid system to treat post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus
This grant explores a new approach to treating post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus by studying how the brain’s fluid system and immune cells manage CSF after a brain bleed.
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Endoscopic versus Shunt Treatment of Hydrocephalus in Infants
A study compares two treatments for hydrocephalus in infants to see which keeps babies cognitively on par with the standard shunt treatment.
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Endoscopic treatment versus shunt for hydrocephalus in infants
This project tests whether a shunt-free endoscopic procedure can be as good as traditional shunting for babies with hydrocephalus.
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Endoscopic treatment vs shunt for infant hydrocephalus
Infants with hydrocephalus may be treated with a shunt or a shunt-free procedure called ETV+CPC, and this study compares the two to see if the shunt-free option can keep cognitive outcomes similar.
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Functional screen of hydrocephalus and heart-disease genes in a frog model
A study uses frog embryos to test how human genetic changes might cause congenital hydrocephalus and related heart defects, with the goal of understanding why these conditions occur.
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Modulating choroid plexus function to restore CSF balance in hydrocephalus
A new NIH grant aims to adjust the choroid plexus, the brain’s CSF factory, to restore normal CSF flow and reduce hydrocephalus-related problems.
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.