Neonatal brain protection with new purine-based medicines
Official title: Neuroprotective Strategy: Novel Purine Derivatives for Neonatal Hypoxia-ischemia
Funded at Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island · NIH-11283927 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new family of purine-derived medicines is being studied to protect the brains of newborns after oxygen and blood flow problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $337,718 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS117428-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11283927 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Newborns and infants who have experienced hypoxia-ischemia or are at risk of HI-related brain injury.
✕Less likely to help
Infants without HI-related brain injury or where the condition is not relevant to the intervention.
What this research studies
This project tests purine derivatives to guard the infant brain after hypoxia-ischemia, a common cause of serious brain injury in newborns. Researchers will look at how these compounds interact with GSK-3β and prohibitin pathways to preserve brain cell energy and reduce inflammation. The study builds on animal data showing cognitive benefits and reduced brain injury, and aims to translate those signals toward neonatal care. If successful, this work could lead to therapies that complement or extend beyond existing cooling treatments for HI in infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, the purine derivatives could lessen brain injury after HI and support better neurodevelopmental outcomes for affected newborns.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in animals suggests neuroprotection with purine derivatives and related pathways, with promising functional and inflammatory outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Xiaodi Felix — Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Chen, Xiaodi Felix
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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.