Understanding blood vessel problems and brain shrinkage after severe brain injuries
Official title: Investigating cerebrovascular dysfunction and cerebral atrophy in severe traumatic brain injury
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-10742569 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how serious brain injuries can cause problems with blood vessels and brain shrinkage, which might lead to issues like Alzheimer's, and it’s testing a special treatment to see if it can help repair those blood vessels and support recovery for people with these injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $379,171 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS130468-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10742569 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced severe traumatic brain injuries and are at risk for progressive brain damage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild brain injuries or those who do not have a history of traumatic brain injury may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how severe traumatic brain injuries (sTBI) lead to blood vessel dysfunction and brain shrinkage, which can contribute to conditions like Alzheimer's disease. The researchers will use a preclinical rat model to explore how engineered Chondroitin Sulfate (eCS) matrices can help repair blood vessels and prevent further brain damage. By examining the permeability of blood vessels and the types of immune cells involved, the study aims to develop new therapies that could improve recovery for patients with severe brain injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent brain damage and improve recovery in patients with severe traumatic brain injuries.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach is innovative, previous research has shown promise in using engineered materials for tissue repair, suggesting potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karumbaiah, Lohitash — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Karumbaiah, Lohitash
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
AI-enhanced virtual reality tool to support remote emergency brain surgery training in Tanzania
A new AI-powered virtual reality tool helps non-experts in low-resource areas get real-time remote guidance for emergency traumatic brain injury surgery.
-
How head injury affects the heart and blood vessels
This project aims to find out whether traumatic brain injuries make people more likely to develop hardened arteries and heart problems, especially among veterans.
-
Neural targets for improving function in Veterans with alcohol use disorder and mild brain injury
This project tests a targeted brain-stimulation approach to help Veterans who have both alcohol use problems and mild traumatic brain injury improve daily functioning.
-
How head injuries affect the heart and blood vessels
This project is looking at whether past traumatic brain injuries cause changes in blood vessels and raise the risk of heart disease for people who have had head injuries.
-
Keeping oxygen in the injured brain after severe head trauma
This project uses a small brain oxygen monitor to guide ICU care for people with severe traumatic brain injury in hopes of improving recovery.
-
How head injuries affect Parkinson's over time
Researchers will follow people with Parkinson's disease to learn how past mild-to-moderate head injuries relate to thinking, mood, movement, brain changes, and quality of life.
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.