Synthetic platelet-inspired therapy to protect brain implants and improve recording stability
Official title: Translational Development of Synthetic Platelet-Inspired Nanoparticle Therapy to Improve Microelectrode Recording Performance
Funded at Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center · NIH-11348846 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing summary of a project testing a platelet-inspired nanoparticle system that delivers anti-inflammatory drugs at brain implant sites to keep microelectrode recordings clearer longer.
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, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 1I01RD000555-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11348846 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are veterans with paralysis or amputation who may benefit from brain-machine interface technologies and are eligible for related implant research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions not related to brain implants or those who do not require neural recording may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at improving the longevity and performance of brain-implanted devices used for controlling prosthetic limbs in veterans. It uses a synthetic platelet-inspired nanoparticle to deliver anti-inflammatory medication right at the implant site, aiming to reduce bleeding and neuroinflammation that can degrade recording signals. The study focuses on making the technology more translatable to patients by addressing safety and efficacy around the brain-implant interface. If successful, the approach could lead to longer-lasting brain-machine interfaces with fewer complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could extend the life and reliability of brain-machine interfaces for veterans needing prosthetic control.
How similar studies have gone: Previous similar approaches have shown promise in reducing inflammation at neural interfaces, with ongoing work to translate results to human use.
Where this research is happening
-
Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shoffstall, Andrew — Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Shoffstall, Andrew
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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.