Targeted nanomedicine to protect the brain after an ischemic stroke
Next-generation nanomedicine for acute ischemic stroke
This project uses tiny, targeted drug carriers to bring anti-inflammatory medicine directly into damaged brain tissue after an ischemic stroke to limit injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nanomuse, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton Junction, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10932102 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is developing nanoscale drug carriers that bind a blood‑vessel marker (VCAM) so medicines can concentrate in under‑perfused brain regions after clot removal. In mouse stroke models, these VCAM-targeted carriers delivered much higher drug levels to the brain and, when loaded with dexamethasone, reduced death and infarct size. The researchers also redesigned the particles to avoid triggering a dangerous complement-driven immune reaction that can lower blood pressure. The current work aims to finalize these safer, targeted carriers and advance them toward clinical testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people who recently had an acute ischemic stroke and were treated with or are eligible for mechanical thrombectomy.
Not a fit: Patients with hemorrhagic stroke, long-standing chronic stroke without salvageable brain tissue, or known allergies to nanocarrier components are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce secondary brain damage after thrombectomy and improve recovery for stroke patients.
How similar studies have performed: Many prior neuroprotective drugs failed in humans largely from poor brain delivery, but this VCAM-targeted nanocarrier showed promising results in preclinical mouse models, making the approach novel and still early-stage.
Where this research is happening
Princeton Junction, United States
- Nanomuse, LLC — Princeton Junction, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brenner, Jacob — Nanomuse, LLC
- Study coordinator: Brenner, Jacob
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.