Using mitochondria to protect the brain’s small vessels during radiation cancer therapy
Official title: Leveraging mitochondrial function to combat radiation therapy-induced microvascular disease
Funded at Oklahoma City VA Medical Center · NIH-11399494 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to find ways to protect brain blood vessels from damage caused by radiation therapy used for cancer, so veterans and others can keep cognition and brain health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oklahoma City VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2010 |
| Project end | September 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX000163-18 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399494 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing or who have undergone brain or head-and-neck radiation therapy, including veterans receiving cancer treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not exposed to brain-directed radiation or those with conditions outside the scope of brain endothelial injury may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how radiation therapy can injure tiny blood vessels in the brain through mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress. Researchers want to map the pathways that connect mitochondrial injury to long-term problems like cognitive decline. They plan to test potential strategies during radiation to prevent or lessen endotheliopathy and protect brain function. The work involves understanding cellular processes and may guide future treatments to reduce side effects for patients receiving brain-directed cancer therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to treatments that reduce cognitive decline and vascular damage after brain radiation.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests mitochondrial injury plays a role, but a unified mechanism and mitigators are still under development.
Where this research is happening
-
Oklahoma City VA Medical Center
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grumbach, Isabella Maria — Oklahoma City VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Grumbach, Isabella Maria
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Protecting small blood vessels from radiation by boosting mitochondrial health
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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.