Stimulating brain blood‑vessel support cells to protect after head injury
Effect of pericyte stimulation on traumatic brain injury pathophysiology
This research will test whether boosting a natural growth signal (PDGF‑BB) to help tiny blood‑vessel support cells called pericytes can reduce brain damage after repeated mild head injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Bay Pines VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bay Pines, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11130995 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient’s point of view, researchers are studying how head injuries damage pericytes, the cells that help keep brain blood vessels and white matter healthy. They use mice that get repeated mild head impacts and also examine human brain tissue from people with traumatic brain injury to see PDGF‑BB levels and pericyte loss. The team plans to give treatments that raise PDGF‑BB signaling and then measure pericyte survival, inflammation, abnormal tau buildup, white‑matter health, and behavior in the animals. Findings will show whether restoring this growth signal can prevent or lessen the brain changes that follow repeated concussions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had recent or repeated mild traumatic brain injuries (concussions) or who are at risk for post‑traumatic cognitive problems would be the most relevant candidates for related future trials.
Not a fit: People without head injury or those with longstanding, severe neurodegenerative disease unrelated to trauma may not benefit from this specific pericyte‑focused approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could protect blood‑vessel support cells after head injury and reduce inflammation, abnormal protein buildup, and long‑term brain damage linked to cognitive decline.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and tissue studies show PDGF‑BB supports pericyte health, but using PDGF‑BB signaling as a treatment for traumatic brain injury is mostly at the preclinical and exploratory stage.
Where this research is happening
Bay Pines, United States
- Bay Pines VA Medical Center — Bay Pines, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bachmeier, Corbin — Bay Pines VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bachmeier, Corbin
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.