Using CBD to improve outcomes after brain bleeding from aneurysms
Official title: Cannabidiol (CBD) as a Potential Therapeutic for Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-10994636 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cannabidiol (CBD) might help people who have had a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is a serious brain condition, by potentially improving blood flow and reducing brain damage to help them recover better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | December 5, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $191,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS135089-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10994636 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who have experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage or those with other unrelated conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of cannabidiol (CBD) as a treatment for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), a serious condition often caused by a ruptured aneurysm. The study aims to understand how CBD may help stabilize blood vessels in the brain, improve blood flow, and reduce brain injury following SAH. By conducting preclinical experiments, the researchers will explore the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of CBD and how it may enhance recovery for patients affected by this condition. The ultimate goal is to identify new therapeutic strategies that could significantly improve patient outcomes after SAH.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a novel treatment that improves recovery and reduces disability and mortality for patients suffering from subarachnoid hemorrhage.
How similar studies have gone: While CBD has shown promise in other injury models, this specific application for subarachnoid hemorrhage is novel and has not been previously tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roberts, Jill Marie — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Roberts, Jill Marie
Related research
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Using patient questionnaires to find thinking and memory problems in people recovering from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
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Blood test to predict delayed brain injury after an aneurysm bleed
This project is creating a blood test to spot which people who had a brain aneurysm bleed are likely to develop delayed brain injury in the days after the bleed.
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3D brain blood vessel model to study subarachnoid hemorrhage and test therapies
A researcher will develop a 3D printed, biomimetic brain model to study subarachnoid hemorrhage and screen potential nanoparticle-based treatments.
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Biomarkers to Fine-Tune Intrathecal Nicardipine for Brain Bleeding-Related Stroke
Researchers are testing biomarkers to personalize intrathecal nicardipine treatment for patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage to prevent brain damage.
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Adropin as a shield for the brain after a brain hemorrhage
A potential treatment with adropin is being studied to protect brain cells after a subarachnoid hemorrhage and reduce stroke-like damage.
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Manganese-based compound as a potential therapy for subarachnoid hemorrhage
A new manganese porphyrin-based drug is being explored as a possible treatment to reduce brain injury after a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
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.