Protecting Brain Implants from Infection
Antimicrobial Coating for Intracortical Microelectrodes
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 ID | NIH-11138419 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who might eventually benefit from brain implants for neurological disorders could be ideal candidates for future applications of this technology.
Not a fit: Patients not requiring brain implants for neurological conditions would not directly benefit from this specific research.
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 performed: 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
Cleveland, United States
- 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
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 below.