Trauma, the gut, and the brain: how gut microbes and microglia affect brain injury
Official title: Trauma, the gut, and the brain: the gut microbiota-microglia axis in traumatic brain injury
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11381827 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how gut bacteria and brain immune cells interact after a traumatic brain injury and how this might influence recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $610,090 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS127865-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381827 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury or conditions related to acquired brain injury who may benefit from improved neuroinflammation control and cognitive recovery.
✕Less likely to help
People without a history of brain injury or related neuroinflammatory conditions may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project explores how changes in the gut microbiome after a brain injury interact with brain immune cells called microglia. It builds on findings that certain gut bacteria and the short-chain fatty acids they produce may influence neuroinflammation and brain healing. The researchers will use laboratory and animal model approaches to map the gut-brain signaling pathways and test dietary or microbial interventions that could improve outcomes after TBI. The goal is to identify mechanisms that could be targeted to reduce inflammation and support cognitive recovery in people who have suffered a brain injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new dietary or microbial-based strategies to reduce brain inflammation and improve recovery after traumatic brain injury.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data suggest that gut microbiota and SCFAs influence neuroinflammation and recovery after neural injury, supporting potential relevance to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwulst, Steven J — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Schwulst, Steven J
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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.