Protecting Brain Implants from Infection
Official title: Antimicrobial Coating for Intracortical Microelectrodes
Funded at Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center · NIH-11138419 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating a special coating for brain implants to help reduce inflammation and improve their performance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I21RX004895-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11138419 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who might eventually benefit from brain implants for neurological disorders could be ideal candidates for future applications of this technology.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not requiring brain implants for neurological conditions would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Brain implants, called microelectrodes, offer valuable insights into brain functions and can help treat neurological disorders. However, these implants can sometimes cause inflammation in the brain, partly due to bacteria that may enter during or after surgery. Even very small amounts of bacteria, not enough to cause a full infection, can trigger a strong inflammatory response in the sensitive brain. Traditional antibiotics given throughout the body are not always effective and can have unwanted side effects. This research aims to develop a localized antimicrobial coating for the implants themselves to control bacteria and reduce this inflammation, potentially making the implants work better and last longer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this coating could make brain implants work better and last longer, potentially improving treatments and outcomes for individuals with neurological conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of antimicrobial coatings is known, this specific approach for intracortical microelectrodes is being developed based on preliminary findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Capadona, Jeffrey R — Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Capadona, Jeffrey R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Smart, self-placing electric bandage to heal ischemic wounds
A new untethered, smart bandage uses electrical stimulation and real-time wound monitoring to help heal chronic ischemic wounds in veterans.
-
Personalized modular pressure-relief cushions to prevent bedsores for wheelchair users
A personalized, adjustable cushion system uses a fitting algorithm to tailor pressure relief for wheelchair users and help prevent pressure injuries.
-
Smart personalized electric bandage for faster healing of ischemic wounds
A wearable electric bandage that delivers personalized electrical pulses and monitors wounds to help people with chronic ischemic wounds heal faster.
-
Center for Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
A program that studies how external electrical stimulation can help people with nerve or brain injuries regain function and improve rehabilitation.
-
Personalized prediction of pressure sores after spinal cord injury
This project will use body measures, muscle fat levels, and genetic information to predict which people with spinal cord injury are most likely to develop pressure sores so prevention can be personalized.
-
Targeting a sugar pathway to help treat AML
Aims to explore whether dialing down a specific sugar-adding pathway can slow or stop acute myeloid leukemia in patients.
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.