Using brain-derived exosomes to find biomarkers for neonatal brain injury
Official title: Central Nervous System Derived Exosomes: A Novel Source of Biomarkers for Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11056137 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at tiny particles from the brain to see if they can help doctors better understand and track brain injuries in newborns who have had a lack of oxygen, so they can provide more personalized care and improve treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | June 23, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $660,082 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD105055-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056137 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newborns diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or are outside the neonatal age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of central nervous system-derived exosomes as potential biomarkers for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a condition affecting newborns due to lack of oxygen. The study aims to develop non-invasive assays that can accurately assess the timing and extent of brain injury in infants, particularly during critical clinical phases. By analyzing these exosomes, researchers hope to improve the identification of infants who may not respond to current treatments like therapeutic hypothermia. This approach could lead to better monitoring and tailored therapies for affected neonates.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for infants suffering from neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of exosomes in this context is relatively novel, there is growing interest and preliminary success in using similar approaches for other neurological conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goetzl, Laura — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Goetzl, Laura
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Brain support cells in newborn brain injury after birth asphyxia
This grant studies how brain-supporting cells called pericytes affect brain damage after a newborn experiences a lack of oxygen at birth, with potential to guide new treatments.
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Neonatal brain health: using a new NIRS approach to guide cooling therapy in newborns with HIE
A new NIH-funded approach aims to use bedside brain oxygen and blood flow measurements to personalize cooling therapy for babies with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
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Brain-derived exosomes to detect and track newborn oxygen-related brain injury
This project looks for tiny brain-derived particles in newborns who had low oxygen at birth to help predict how they'll recover and whether cooling will help.
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Personalized care for newborns with oxygen-related brain injury (HIE)
We are creating a combined MRI and clinical tool to better predict long-term outcomes for newborns who had low oxygen to the brain (neonatal HIE).
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Understanding the Link Between Maternal Infection and Brain Injury in Newborns
This project aims to better understand how infections during pregnancy might affect a newborn's brain and lead to conditions like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
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Improving Cooling Treatment for Newborn Brain Injury
This project looks for better ways to guide cooling treatment for newborns who have experienced brain injury due to lack of oxygen.
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.