Neurosarcoidosis: immune markers and possible infectious triggers
Neurosarcoidosis: Clinical Phenotype, Biomarkers and Immunopathogensis
This project looks at immune markers and possible infection-related triggers in people who have neurosarcoidosis, linking different neurological symptoms with biological signatures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174217 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at two centers will follow people with neurosarcoidosis and collect clinical information plus blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. They will measure immune signaling molecules (for example interferon-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6), antibody patterns, and gene expression in CSF. The team will compare these immune profiles with patients' specific neurological symptoms such as meningitis, encephalitis, or myelitis to define phenotype-specific signatures. They will also search for antibodies or molecular evidence that point to particular infectious agents as possible triggers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with sarcoidosis who are experiencing neurological symptoms (e.g., meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis) and who can provide blood and CSF samples are the best candidates.
Not a fit: Individuals without neurosarcoidosis or those who cannot or will not undergo lumbar puncture for CSF collection are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable earlier diagnosis and more personalized treatment choices for people with neurosarcoidosis based on their immune and molecular profiles.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies have already found distinctive CSF immune mediators and antibody signals linked to microbial antigens, so this work builds on promising but still early findings.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pardo-Villamizar, Carlos a — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Pardo-Villamizar, Carlos a
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.