New treatment for brain injuries caused by repeated concussions
Official title: Novel EPO peptide therapy for chronic rmTBI dependent neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation
Funded at VA New Jersey Health Care System · NIH-10938015 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment called JM4 to help people who have long-term brain problems from repeated mild concussions, aiming to reduce inflammation and improve brain function without the side effects of other therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA New Jersey Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Orange, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2021 |
| Project end | September 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003347-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10938015 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced multiple concussive head injuries, such as athletes in contact sports or military personnel.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced repeated mild traumatic brain injuries or those with other unrelated neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel peptide therapy to treat chronic neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation resulting from repeated mild traumatic brain injuries (rmTBI). The treatment, known as JM4, is derived from erythropoietin and aims to reduce harmful immune responses and inflammation in the brain without the side effects associated with traditional erythropoietin therapy. By crossing the blood-brain barrier, JM4 has shown promise in preliminary studies for improving neurological function and reducing brain damage in animal models. The research seeks to provide a potential therapeutic option for individuals suffering from the long-term effects of multiple concussions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new treatment that alleviates symptoms and slows the progression of neurodegenerative diseases caused by repeated concussions.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies have shown success with similar approaches in animal models, indicating potential for effective treatment in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
VA New Jersey Health Care System
East Orange, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Choi, Yun-Beom — VA New Jersey Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Choi, Yun-Beom
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Exercise combined with an LRRK2-blocking treatment to prevent Parkinson's disease
This project will see if regular exercise plus a medicine that blocks LRRK2 can lower the chance of developing Parkinson's disease after a mild traumatic brain injury, especially for veterans.
-
Cognitive control, emotion, and suicide risk after traumatic brain injury in Veterans
A study will look at how traumatic brain injury affects thinking, emotions, and suicide risk in Veterans, using data from both people and animal models.
-
Improving Specialty Care for Gulf War Illness
This initiative aims to improve the quality of care for Gulf War Veterans experiencing Gulf War Illness by connecting them with specialized support.
-
Improving health outcomes for veterans with chronic pain through coaching
This study is looking at how health coaching can help veterans with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia feel better and more in control of their symptoms without using medication.
-
Improving care for veterans with long COVID and chronic multisymptom conditions
This project uses a care approach called Concordant Care to help veterans with long COVID or similar chronic multisymptom conditions get more validating, coordinated, and patient-centered care.
-
A new EPO-derived peptide to protect the brain after repeated concussions
A short peptide based on erythropoietin is being developed to reduce brain inflammation and protect people who have had multiple mild concussions, such as veterans and contact-sport athletes.
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.