Understanding how Lyme disease bacteria invade the nervous system
Official title: Mechanisms of central nervous system invasion by the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi
Funded at University of South Alabama · NIH-11114182 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria that cause Lyme disease can enter the brain and spinal fluid, and how different types of mice respond to this infection, to help find better treatments for people with serious neurological issues related to Lyme disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Alabama NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mobile, United States) |
| Project start | April 8, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $192,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI190212-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11114182 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease and are experiencing neurological symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Lyme disease or those without neurological symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the Lyme disease-causing bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, invade the central nervous system and the body's response to this invasion. Using laboratory mice, the study aims to identify the mechanisms behind the bacteria's ability to colonize the brain and spinal fluid, which can lead to serious neurological conditions. The researchers will explore how different mouse strains respond to the infection, providing insights into the inflammatory processes involved. This work is crucial for developing better treatments for Lyme neuroborreliosis, a severe complication of Lyme disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for patients suffering from neurological complications of Lyme disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding Lyme disease pathology through animal models, but this specific focus on central nervous system invasion is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Alabama
Mobile, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Casselli, Timothy — University of South Alabama
- Study coordinator: Casselli, Timothy
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding why some people have ongoing symptoms after Lyme disease
A long-term study follows people diagnosed with acute Lyme disease to see who develops persistent symptoms and why, with care from a team of Lyme experts.
-
CSF Protein Map in Post-Treatment Lyme Disease
A short study to map proteins in spinal fluid of people who had Lyme disease and still feel sick after standard treatment, to understand what’s going on.
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Lyme disease vaccine research aimed at preventing infection
Researchers are developing a Lyme disease vaccine by studying how the immune system responds to Borrelia burgdorferi and testing vaccine approaches to prevent illness.
-
Lyme disease brain health: tracking brain signals and blood clues after treatment
This study follows people with early Lyme disease and compares them to healthy volunteers to see how the brain and blood markers change over a year after starting antibiotics.
-
Lyme disease symptoms lingering after treatment may be driven by special bacterial fragments
A human-friendly look at a study exploring why some Lyme patients keep symptoms after antibiotics and whether tiny fragments from the bacteria are to blame.
-
Understanding Lyme disease immune signals to predict recovery after antibiotics
A research project at MIT aims to find immune biomarkers that tell which Lyme patients will recover after standard antibiotics and who might have lasting symptoms.
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.