Near-infrared fluorescent markers to help surgeons see and protect cranial nerves during skull base surgery
Fluorescence Guided Surgery using Near Infrared Nerve-specific Probes for Cranial Nerve Preservation
This project develops special near-infrared dyes that make cranial nerves glow so surgeons can better avoid injuring them during skull base operations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11239796 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you're having skull base surgery, researchers are working on nerve-targeting dyes that glow under near-infrared light to reveal cranial nerves during the operation. They will test how specifically the probes bind to nerves and how the dyes move through the body using laboratory and animal studies before moving toward use in surgeries. The team will pair the dyes with imaging equipment that can be used in the operating room so nerves can be visualized without changing standard surgical steps. Safety, optimal dosing, and how clearly nerves appear will be measured to prepare for future patient use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People scheduled for skull base or other cranial surgeries where important cranial nerves are at risk would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients not undergoing skull base or cranial nerve–at-risk surgery or those whose nerves are already easily visible with current techniques are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce accidental cranial nerve injuries and help preserve patients' motor and sensory function after skull base surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Fluorescence-guided surgery has worked well with other dyes for different tissues, but nerve-specific near-infrared probes are a newer approach that has been mostly preclinical so far.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gibbs, Summer Lynne — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Gibbs, Summer Lynne
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.