Understanding why shunts fail in children with hydrocephalus
Official title: Investigating the source and the action behind shunt obstruction in the treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-11178389 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to discover why shunts, which drain fluid from the brain, often stop working in children with hydrocephalus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2016 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $525,636 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS094570-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11178389 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who have hydrocephalus and rely on shunts, or those who may need shunts in the future, are the focus of this important work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without hydrocephalus or those whose condition is managed without shunts may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Many children with hydrocephalus rely on shunts to manage their condition, but these devices frequently fail, leading to serious health issues. We want to understand what causes tissue to block the shunt's drainage holes, specifically looking at how patient conditions and physical forces might pull tissue into the shunt. We will also explore if the growth of certain cells, like astrocytes, is necessary for this blockage to occur after tissue contact. By using advanced computer models and lab experiments, we hope to pinpoint the exact reasons for shunt failure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to design shunts or manage hydrocephalus that prevent blockages, significantly improving the lives of children with this condition.
How similar studies have gone: While the high failure rate of shunts highlights a persistent problem, this project seeks to uncover fundamental mechanisms that are not yet fully understood, making its approach novel in addressing the root causes of obstruction.
Where this research is happening
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harris, Carolyn a — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Harris, Carolyn a
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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.