New ultrasound methods to measure brain pressure and health in newborns with hydrocephalus
Official title: Novel Ultrasound Indices of Intracranial Pressure and Brain Ischemia in Neonatal Hydrocephalus
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11141504 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, safe way to check brain health and pressure in newborns with hydrocephalus using a special ultrasound technique, which could help doctors make quicker and better treatment decisions for these babies.
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 30, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $701,154 |
| NIH project number | 2R01NS119473-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141504 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newborns diagnosed with hydrocephalus or those at risk of developing the condition due to factors like intraventricular hemorrhage or congenital abnormalities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or those without a diagnosis of hydrocephalus may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the diagnosis and treatment of neonatal hydrocephalus, a condition affecting newborns that can lead to serious brain damage. The team is developing a noninvasive ultrasound technique called contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to measure intracranial pressure and assess brain health without the risks associated with invasive procedures. By using microbubbles injected into the bloodstream, they aim to provide real-time insights into brain perfusion and pressure, which could lead to timely interventions and better outcomes for affected infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more accurate methods for diagnosing and managing brain pressure in newborns, potentially reducing the risk of long-term neurological damage.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using ultrasound techniques for brain assessment, but this specific approach using CEUS in neonatal hydrocephalus is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hwang, Misun — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Hwang, Misun
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Wearable system to monitor shunt health in hydrocephalus patients
A wearable COSMOS device would continuously monitor CSF shunt function and signs of infection to help patients and clinicians catch problems earlier.
-
Noninvasive ultrasound clues to brain pressure and health in newborns with hydrocephalus
A new ultrasound approach aims to noninvasively measure brain pressure and blood flow changes in babies with hydrocephalus to guide treatment.
-
Targeting the brain’s fluid system to treat post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus
This grant explores a new approach to treating post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus by studying how the brain’s fluid system and immune cells manage CSF after a brain bleed.
-
Modulating deep brain activity with focused ultrasound for cocaine use disorder
A study will test whether targeting a deep brain region with focused ultrasound can alter brain signals related to craving in people with cocaine use disorder.
-
Endoscopic versus Shunt Treatment of Hydrocephalus in Infants
A study compares two treatments for hydrocephalus in infants to see which keeps babies cognitively on par with the standard shunt treatment.
-
Endoscopic treatment versus shunt for hydrocephalus in infants
This project tests whether a shunt-free endoscopic procedure can be as good as traditional shunting for babies with hydrocephalus.
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.