Understanding how oxygen supply affects brain development in children with sickle cell anemia
Official title: The role of metabolic and hemodynamic reserve in age-related brain vulnerability in pediatric sickle cell anemia
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11045650 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the way oxygen is used in the brain affects children with sickle cell anemia, especially regarding their brain growth and development, to help improve their care and health outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $426,294 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS121065-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045650 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with sickle cell anemia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with sickle cell anemia or are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the balance between oxygen supply and demand in the brain impacts children with sickle cell anemia, particularly focusing on their brain growth and development. The study will assess metabolic and hemodynamic reserves in healthy children and explore how these reserves are affected by low oxygen levels. By examining these factors, the research aims to uncover the physiological mechanisms that make children with sickle cell anemia more vulnerable to brain impairment. The findings could help optimize care and improve neurological outcomes for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for supporting brain development in children with sickle cell anemia.
How similar studies have gone: While the intersection of hypoxemia and brain development in children with sickle cell anemia is not extensively studied, preliminary data suggest that understanding these mechanisms could lead to significant advancements in care.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guilliams, Kristin — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Guilliams, Kristin
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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.