Targeting HDAC3 to reduce brain damage after a brain bleed
Official title: HDAC3 as a therapeutic target for intracerebral hemorrhage
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-11386398 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether blocking a protein called HDAC3 can reduce inflammation and improve recovery after an intracerebral hemorrhage (brain bleed).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $390,755 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS132794-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386398 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have experienced an intracerebral hemorrhage (brain bleed) and who are interested in future clinical trials of HDAC3-targeting treatments would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of stroke (for example, ischemic stroke) or those needing immediate surgical intervention are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this preclinical work.
What this research studies
Researchers are using laboratory and animal models of intracerebral hemorrhage to see if drugs that block HDAC3 can limit secondary brain injury and help the brain clear the bleed. They will also use genetically modified mice that lack HDAC3 specifically in microglia or macrophages to learn how immune cells influence damage and recovery. Advanced molecular tests (CUT&Tag) will be used to track how HDAC3 changes gene activity, particularly Nrf2-related protective pathways. The team will measure hematoma resolution and behavioral recovery in animals to link molecular changes with functional outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new therapies that limit brain damage and improve recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage.
How similar studies have gone: Broad histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have shown neuroprotective effects in some preclinical stroke models, but selectively targeting HDAC3 is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
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Augusta University
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sukumari-Ramesh, Sangeetha — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Sukumari-Ramesh, Sangeetha
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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.