Molecularly mapping early brain injury after brain bleed using human brain organoids and patient CSF
Official title: Molecularly Deconstructing Sexual Dimorphism in Early Brain Injury Post Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Leveraging Human Brain Organoids and Patient Biofluids
Funded at Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center · NIH-11290705 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how early brain injury after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage happens in people, by using patient CSF and human brain organoids to find what signals cause damage and why women may have worse outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Phoenix, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $619,392 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS143164-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11290705 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have had an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and have serial CSF samples available; both women and men.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to CSF sampling or those not represented in the study could see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses cerebrospinal fluid samples collected from patients after aSAH and human brain organoids to study the molecular messengers that drive early brain injury. Researchers will test how CSF from male and female patients affects brain cells in 3D, tissue-like organoids to see which factors promote injury. They will measure brain damage signals using CT-based edema scores and volume metrics, linking molecular findings to what clinicians observe. The aim is to identify targets for therapies that could reduce early brain injury and improve outcomes for patients after aSAH.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal specific molecules to target and lead to personalized treatments that lessen brain injury after aSAH, potentially improving survival and function.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies using patient-derived fluids and human brain models have shown it’s feasible to map injury signals, but this approach remains exploratory and could yield novel targets.
Where this research is happening
-
Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Phoenix, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jha, Ruchira Menka — Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Jha, Ruchira Menka
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Identifying brain injury risks in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage using brain activity monitoring.
This study is looking at how to better manage blood pressure for people who have had a brain bleed from an aneurysm, by closely monitoring their brain activity to find the best targets for blood flow, which could help prevent further complications and improve recovery.
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Cognitive screening after an aneurysmal brain bleed
Using patient questionnaires to find thinking and memory problems in people recovering from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
-
Understanding metabolic changes after brain hemorrhage
This study is looking at how a serious brain condition called aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage affects the body's metabolism and inflammation, with the goal of finding ways to predict how well patients will recover by analyzing blood samples.
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Using Satralizumab to treat complications from brain aneurysms.
This study is looking at how well the drug Satralizumab can help people recover after a brain aneurysm by reducing complications like vasospasm, and it’s designed for patients who have had this type of hemorrhage.
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Improving cognitive assessment after brain hemorrhages for better patient outcomes
This study is looking to improve how we spot and understand thinking problems in people who have had a brain bleed, especially focusing on African American and rural patients who might not get the help they need, so we can help them live better lives.
-
Blood test to predict delayed brain injury after an aneurysm bleed
This project is creating a blood test to spot which people who had a brain aneurysm bleed are likely to develop delayed brain injury in the days after the bleed.
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.