Monitoring brain blood flow and health during life support for critically ill children and adults
Development of quantitative optical tools to continuously monitor cerebral autoregulation, blood flow, oxygenation and inflammation during pediatric extracorporeal life support
This study is working on new ways to keep an eye on brain health for patients on ECMO, a special treatment for those who are very sick, so doctors can better protect their brains and improve their recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11042835 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new optical tools to continuously monitor brain blood flow, oxygen levels, and inflammation in patients receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), a life-saving treatment for critically ill individuals. By improving the ability to assess cerebral autoregulation, the study aims to prevent neurological injuries that can occur during ECMO. The approach involves non-invasive monitoring techniques that can provide real-time data to clinicians, enhancing patient care and outcomes. The ultimate goal is to create bedside monitors that can help protect the brain during critical treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include critically ill children and adults who are receiving ECMO support.
Not a fit: Patients who are not receiving ECMO or those with conditions unrelated to cerebral autoregulation may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the survival and neurological outcomes of patients on ECMO by enabling better monitoring and prevention of brain injuries.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in developing monitoring techniques for brain health during critical care, but this specific approach is novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Busch, David Richard — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Busch, David Richard
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 below.