Understanding how brain cells respond after injury
Official title: Microglial process convergence following brain injury
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10876937 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how special immune cells in the brain help heal after a traumatic brain injury, using pigs to learn more about their role, with the hope of finding better treatments for people with similar injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $557,339 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS128104-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10876937 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults who have experienced a traumatic brain injury, particularly those with ongoing symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic brain injuries or those who have not experienced recent trauma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of microglia, the brain's immune cells, in the aftermath of traumatic brain injury (TBI). It focuses on how these cells converge on damaged areas in the brain, particularly in higher-order mammals like pigs, to understand their potential healing effects. By studying these processes, the research aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to better treatments for TBI in humans. The approach includes comparing responses in different animal models to identify effective therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve recovery outcomes for individuals suffering from traumatic brain injuries.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been progress in understanding neuroinflammatory responses in rodents, this specific approach using higher-order mammals like pigs is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lafrenaye, Audrey D — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Lafrenaye, Audrey D
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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.