Post-viral Guillain-Barre syndrome and genetic clues in kids
Official title: Post-viral Guillain-Barre syndrome: human inborn errors of immunity and a new model of pathogenic mechanism
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11453840 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study aims to understand why some children develop Guillain-Barre syndrome after viral infections by looking at genetic clues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS150178-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11453840 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children up to 11 years old who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome following a viral infection, including SARS-CoV-2, and have available genetic data.
✕Less likely to help
Children without a post-viral GBS history or without genetic data may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on children aged up to 11 who developed GBS after a viral infection, including SARS-CoV-2. Researchers will analyze genetic data from affected patients to find damaging mutations that may influence how the immune system and cells respond during infection. By examining whole exome/genome sequences from a group of 22 patients, the study seeks to link specific gene changes to disease mechanisms. The goal is to build a human-centered model of how post-viral triggers lead to nerve damage, which could guide future therapies. The work is exploratory and aims to connect genetic factors with immune and cellular pathways involved in GBS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to earlier identification of at-risk children and inform personalized treatment approaches for post-viral Guillain-Barre syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows genetic and immune factors can influence GBS, but this project applies a human genetic approach to post-viral cases, which is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Shen-Ying — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Shen-Ying
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.