Peptides to help the heart and brain recover after cardiac arrest

Novel peptides for resuscitation

NIH-funded research University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11345703

Trying two new injectable peptides given during CPR to help people survive cardiac arrest with better brain recovery.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11345703 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project develops two injectable peptides given during emergency CPR — one (TAT-PHLPP9c) to boost cell survival signaling and another (M3mP6) to reduce platelet-driven clotting — to protect the heart and brain after cardiac arrest. Early tests in mice and pigs showed much better survival with good neurologic function and identified blood markers of metabolic recovery. The renewal work will study how the two peptides work together to restore metabolism and prevent microvascular clotting after resuscitation. Research is based at the University of Illinois at Chicago and aims to support future human trials.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people who suffer a sudden cardiac arrest and receive emergency CPR with IV access during resuscitation.

Not a fit: People with very long periods without circulation, active do-not-resuscitate orders, or terminal illnesses are unlikely to benefit from this treatment approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could raise survival rates after cardiac arrest and preserve brain function by speeding metabolic recovery and reducing clot-related organ damage.

How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies of the TAT-PHLPP9c peptide produced large improvements in neurologically intact survival in mice and swine, but combining peptides and testing in humans is novel.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.