Understanding thinking and mood problems after traumatic brain injury using flexible brain sensors
Investigation of Cognitive and Affective Deficits Post TBI Using Multimodal Flexible Neural Probes
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11309112
Researchers are testing whether the common medication methylphenidate can help restore brain chemical balance and nerve-cell activity linked to thinking and mood problems after TBI while using new flexible brain sensors to track changes.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11309112 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Scientists will use a rat model of traumatic brain injury to study how dopamine and glutamate signaling and output neurons in the striatum change after injury and treatment. They will develop and implant multimodal flexible microelectrode arrays to record dopamine, glutamate, and medium spiny neuron firing for three weeks after injury and daily methylphenidate. Molecular analyses and behavior tests will be paired with the recordings to link chemical and electrical changes to cognitive and affective outcomes. The team will examine differences between males and females to better understand sex-specific treatment responses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a recent moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury who are experiencing ongoing cognitive or mood symptoms would be the most relevant candidates for future clinical translation of this work.
Not a fit: People without a history of TBI or whose symptoms are due to other medical or psychiatric causes may not benefit from findings aimed at post-TBI striatal dysfunction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide more targeted use of methylphenidate or related approaches to reduce thinking and mood problems after TBI.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies and some clinical reports suggest methylphenidate can improve attention and mood after TBI, but using long-term flexible sensors to track dopamine, glutamate, and neuron firing together is a new approach.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CUI, XINYAN TRACY — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: CUI, XINYAN TRACY
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 below.