Stopping a toxic zinc compound after a brain bleed
Endogenous zinc protoporphyrin in intracerebral hemorrhage
Aiming to prevent a harmful zinc-containing molecule that forms after a brain bleed to protect people who have had an intracerebral hemorrhage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238993 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study a zinc-containing molecule called zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) that builds up around the bleeding area in the brain and seems to worsen injury. They will test how low oxygen, released zinc, and iron changes promote ZnPP formation through the enzyme ferrochelatase and how ZnPP damages cells by blocking protective pathways and increasing toxic zinc and free radicals. In lab and preclinical models the team will block ferrochelatase and other steps to see if stopping ZnPP formation lowers brain injury and improves recovery. The results could point to new treatments to limit damage after intracerebral hemorrhage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who recently experienced an intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding stroke) would be the most likely group to benefit from or be eligible for related future trials.
Not a fit: People without intracerebral bleeding or with other types of stroke are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that reduce brain damage and improve recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage by preventing ZnPP formation.
How similar studies have performed: Prior preclinical results from the team showed that blocking ferrochelatase lowered ZnPP levels and reduced brain damage in models, but the approach has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Ke Jian — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Liu, Ke Jian
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.