Watching Brain Cells Move to Repair Injured Brain Tissue
MR Imaging of Bioscaffold-Induced Neural Progenitor Migration
This project looks at how special brain cells move to repair damaged brain tissue after an injury, using advanced imaging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141231 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies have natural repair cells in the brain that can help fix damaged tissue, especially after an injury like a stroke. This project explores a new way to encourage these cells to move into injured areas by implanting a special gel, called a bioscaffold. We want to use advanced MRI scans to create a detailed map of how these repair cells travel from their origin to the bioscaffold. By understanding their path and speed, we hope to learn how to better guide the brain's own healing process.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational work is for adult patients who have experienced brain tissue damage, such as from a stroke, and could potentially benefit from future regenerative therapies.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment for brain conditions would not directly benefit from this early-stage imaging development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that help the brain regenerate damaged tissue more effectively after injuries or conditions like stroke.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of using bioscaffolds for tissue regeneration is being explored, this specific approach to non-invasively track neural progenitor cell migration in detail is novel.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Modo, Michel M. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Modo, Michel M.
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.