Vitamin C may help protect the brain after traumatic injuries.
Official title: Ascorbate protects brain after TBI by epigenetic modulation of 5-hydroxymethylation
Funded at Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp · NIH-11003661 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether Vitamin C can help protect the brain and improve recovery for people who have had a traumatic brain injury, by reducing damage and boosting brain function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX006062-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003661 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic brain injuries that occurred long before the study or those with conditions unrelated to TBI may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of Vitamin C (ascorbate) to protect the brain following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study aims to understand how ascorbate can reduce secondary brain damage and improve motor and cognitive functions in individuals who have experienced TBI. By examining the epigenetic changes associated with ascorbate treatment, the research seeks to uncover mechanisms that enhance cell survival in the brain after injury. Patients may benefit from this research if it leads to effective therapies for TBI recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new therapeutic approach to prevent long-term neurological deficits in patients with traumatic brain injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies have shown promising results with ascorbate treatment in animal models, suggesting potential for success in human applications.
Where this research is happening
-
Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vemuganti, Raghu — Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp
- Study coordinator: Vemuganti, Raghu
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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.