Understanding how repetitive head injuries affect brain changes in chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Official title: Characterization of the spatial and temporal response to tau in chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11021605 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how repeated head injuries can affect the brain and lead to a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and it's for people who have experienced these injuries and want to help researchers find better ways to understand and treat this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $817,484 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG090553-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11021605 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with a history of repetitive head injuries, such as athletes from contact sports or military personnel.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced repetitive head injuries or do not have a diagnosis related to neurodegenerative diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of repetitive head injuries (RHI) on the brain, particularly focusing on a condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). By utilizing the Boston University CTE brain bank, the largest of its kind, researchers will analyze brain samples to explore how tau protein accumulation and neuroinflammation contribute to the progression of CTE. The study aims to uncover the mechanisms linking RHI to brain damage, which could lead to better understanding and treatment options for affected individuals. Patients may be involved in providing brain tissue samples or participating in related assessments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for individuals at risk of neurodegenerative diseases due to repetitive head injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding neuroinflammation and tau pathology in similar contexts, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cherry, Jonathan D — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Cherry, Jonathan 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.