Using microRNA molecules to protect the brain's blood vessels after traumatic brain injury
Regulatory microRNAs-mediated cerebrovascular protection and traumatic braininjury
Looks at whether tiny RNA molecules called microRNAs can help protect the brain's blood vessels and limit damage after a traumatic brain injury in service members, veterans, and others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11212773 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's viewpoint, researchers are studying small molecules called microRNAs that control proteins in the cells lining the brain's blood vessels. They will examine how these microRNAs affect the blood-brain barrier and the tight junctions between endothelial cells using laboratory models of brain injury and molecular experiments. The team will track signs of barrier breakdown, inflammation, swelling, and bleeding to see which microRNAs are protective or harmful. Findings may include identifying specific microRNAs that could become targets for future therapies or biomarkers for injury severity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people who have experienced a recent traumatic brain injury—including service members and veterans—who can provide clinical information or biospecimens if the project includes patient sampling.
Not a fit: People with long-standing, fully recovered brain injuries or conditions not related to traumatic brain injury are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this early-stage lab-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to protect the blood-brain barrier after TBI and reduce secondary brain damage and long-term neurological problems.
How similar studies have performed: Prior preclinical studies suggest microRNAs can influence blood-brain barrier function after brain injury, but translating those findings into human treatments is still early and experimental.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- Veterans Health Administration — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yin, Kejie — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Yin, Kejie
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.