Role of the immune system in brain injury and later dementia
Official title: Role of complement in TBI
Funded at Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center · NIH-11610633 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how the body's immune response after traumatic brain injury may influence later dementia, aiming to identify targets to protect brain health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX004256-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11610633 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a history of traumatic brain injury (mild to severe) who are at risk for or experiencing cognitive decline or dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a history of TBI or cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Traumatic brain injury increases the risk of dementia, and current options to prevent cognitive decline are limited. This project focuses on how chronic immune and inflammatory processes, particularly the complement system, evolve after different types of brain injury. By comparing severe focal contusion injuries with mild diffuse concussive injuries, the study seeks to map regional and temporal differences in neuroinflammation. The goal is to inform the development of tailored therapies, including complement-directed approaches, based on injury type and timing. If successful, findings could guide new strategies to reduce long-term cognitive decline after TBI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how post-TBI inflammation drives dementia could lead to targeted therapies that slow or prevent cognitive decline in affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work supports a link between chronic neuroinflammation after TBI and neurodegeneration, but this study aims to clarify differences by injury type and brain region.
Where this research is happening
-
Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tomlinson, Stephen — Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Tomlinson, Stephen
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.