NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding cognitive problems after traumatic brain injury

Official title: Functional and Structural Correlates of Cognitive Dysfunction following TBI

Funded at Philadelphia VA Medical Center · NIH-11088023 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how brain injuries can affect memory and thinking by using pigs to learn more about these changes, with the hope of finding new ways to help people recover their cognitive abilities after a traumatic brain injury.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPhiladelphia VA Medical Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project startMay 1, 2024
Project endApril 30, 2028
Funding year2025
NIH project number5I01BX006511-02
Project IDNIH-11088023 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced moderate to severe traumatic brain injury and are suffering from cognitive dysfunction.

Less likely to help

Patients with mild traumatic brain injury or those without cognitive symptoms may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the cognitive dysfunction that often follows traumatic brain injury (TBI) using advanced animal models. By studying large animals, specifically pigs, researchers aim to uncover how different types of brain injuries affect memory and cognition. They will utilize high-density electrophysiology to analyze changes in neuronal coding related to memory and employ advanced imaging techniques to identify structural changes in the brain. The ultimate goal is to develop new treatment strategies that could help restore cognitive function in individuals affected by TBI.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective treatments for cognitive dysfunction in patients with traumatic brain injury.

How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on cognitive dysfunction following TBI, this approach using large animal models and advanced techniques is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

  • Philadelphia VA Medical Center
    Philadelphia, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Wolf, John Allen — Philadelphia VA Medical Center
  • Study coordinator: Wolf, John Allen

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • The WNK1/OSR1 protein pathway's role in brain insulin use and age-related memory loss

    This project will see if the WNK1/OSR1 protein pathway makes the aging brain use insulin and sugar less well and whether fixing that can help memory in Alzheimer’s-related conditions.

    NIH research University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr · Fort Worth, United States · NIH-11479058

  • HIV-related brain inflammation and the complement system explained

    A study using a human brain model to understand how HIV drives brain inflammation and may cause cognitive problems by changing the brain’s immune system.

    NIH research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, United States · NIH-11469932

  • Subjective thinking challenges in adults with lupus as they age

    This grant aims to understand how lupus-related cognitive problems affect adults, especially older adults, and tests a real-time method to track daily fluctuations in those symptoms.

    NIH research Hospital for Special Surgery · New York, UNITED STATES · NIH-11442899

  • Pain, Mood, and Thinking Problems in HIV- and AUD-risk Patients

    A long-running NIH grant explores how alcohol use, HIV, and negative feelings affect thinking and pain, with the goal of improving care for people living with HIV who struggle with alcohol-related problems.

    NIH research Lsu Health Sciences Center · New Orleans, United States · NIH-11416382

  • Thinking and brain changes in childhood lupus

    This project uses brain scans and cognitive tests to learn why children with lupus sometimes have trouble with thinking and school.

    NIH research Boston Children's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11415453

  • Brain immune cells and cognitive trouble in lupus

    A study in lupus patients and mouse models looks at how brain macrophages may be linked to thinking problems.

    NIH research Northwestern University · Chicago, United States · NIH-11391085

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.