New treatments to protect the brains of preterm infants

Combinatorial Neuroprotective Strategies for Preterm Brain Injury

NIH-funded research University of Washington · NIH-10931611

This study is looking for ways to protect the brains of very premature babies, who often face challenges later in life, by testing new treatments in ferrets that mimic their conditions, with the hope of finding solutions that can help these tiny infants thrive.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-10931611 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing neuroprotective strategies for extremely preterm infants, who are at high risk for long-term disabilities. By using advanced techniques in both laboratory models and animal studies, the researchers aim to identify effective therapies that can reduce brain injury and improve neurodevelopmental outcomes. The study utilizes a ferret model to mimic the conditions faced by preterm infants, allowing for the evaluation of potential treatments in a controlled environment. The goal is to translate these findings into clinical applications that can benefit vulnerable infants.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are extremely preterm infants born before 28 weeks of gestation.

Not a fit: Patients who are not preterm or who do not have neurodevelopmental concerns related to preterm birth may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly improve brain health and developmental outcomes for preterm infants.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in developing neuroprotective strategies for preterm infants, but this specific approach using the ferret model is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired brain injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.