New noninvasive brain-monitoring tech to help kids after traumatic brain injury
Official title: Development of novel optical methods for noninvasive detection of cerebral physiological impairments in a pediatric swine model of traumatic brain injury
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11449404 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new noninvasive optical device is being developed to detect brain problems early in children who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $673,756 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS146589-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449404 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 who have sustained traumatic brain injuries and are receiving standard hospital care.
✕Less likely to help
Children without traumatic brain injury or those not eligible for noninvasive monitoring may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a safe, bedside monitoring tool that can track blood flow, oxygen use, pressure, and swelling in the pediatric brain. Researchers will test a novel diffuse optical device in a pediatric setting to detect dangerous brain derangements soon after injury. The approach focuses on translating optical measurements into actionable signals that doctors can use at the bedside, potentially reducing secondary injury. Pediatric patients and their families could benefit from earlier, personalized interventions if the device works as intended.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could help clinicians detect dangerous brain changes faster and tailor treatments for children after TBI.
How similar studies have gone: Prior noninvasive brain monitoring methods exist but have limited accuracy; this project tests a new diffuse optical approach that is unproven in pediatric TBI.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Menezes Forti, Rodrigo — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Menezes Forti, Rodrigo
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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.