New treatments to prevent long-term brain injury after organophosphate poisoning
UC Davis CounterACT Center of Excellence: Developing Therapeutic Strategies for Mitigating the Chronic Neurological Consequences of Acute Organophosphate Intoxication
Testing new therapies given with emergency care to help adults avoid lasting brain problems after organophosphate poisoning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11378871 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you survive organophosphate poisoning, this Center is developing treatments to lower the risk of long-term brain problems. The team is testing drugs and approaches that reduce brain inflammation, protect the blood-brain barrier, and calm overactive brain cells using laboratory and animal studies supported by shared chemistry and analysis cores. Three research projects focus on each of those biological targets while core groups provide medicinal chemistry, analysis, and other support. The goal is to move promising candidates closer to use alongside standard emergency care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) who have experienced acute organophosphate exposure or survivors at risk for long-term neurological effects would be the most relevant candidates for future trials.
Not a fit: People with brain injury from other causes, children, or individuals whose exposure occurred far outside any effective treatment window may not benefit from these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these therapies could reduce lasting neurological problems such as cognitive decline, seizures, and mood or motor impairments after organophosphate exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Current emergency treatments lower mortality but usually do not prevent long-term brain damage; elements of this anti-inflammatory, BBB-protecting, and excitability-normalizing approach have shown promise in preclinical work but remain clinically unproven.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lein, Pamela J — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Lein, Pamela J
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.