Using blood markers to guide oxygen therapy after severe brain injury

Biomarkers in the Hyperbaric Oxygen in Brain Injury Treatment Trial

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10697359

This project tests whether blood markers can help guide hyperbaric oxygen treatment for people with severe traumatic brain injury.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-10697359 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you or a loved one has a severe traumatic brain injury and is unresponsive, this work looks at whether specific blood proteins can show who is responding to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Researchers will collect blood samples (including measures like GFAP, NfL, and hsCRP) and clinical data from critically ill patients in the ICU and compare marker changes over time with recovery. The team aims to use those markers to tailor treatment dosing and to pick patients most likely to benefit from the therapy. The work is done in hospital ICU settings where patients are intubated and sedated.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale below 8) who are intubated and receiving ICU care are the intended candidates for participation.

Not a fit: People with mild or moderate TBI, chronic brain injuries, or those not eligible for hyperbaric oxygen treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors personalize hyperbaric oxygen treatment and improve patient selection for trials, potentially improving recovery after severe TBI.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show GFAP and NfL can indicate brain injury and predict outcomes, but using these markers to guide hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a newer and not yet proven approach.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired brain injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.