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Project 2.3.3: Delivery of Brain Lipid Nanoparticles Using Microtech Devices for Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury
This project will focus on preservation and repair of neural tissue following combat related traumatic brain injury (TBI). Two different technologies are proposed. The first is a micro-device capable of simultaneous chemical and electrical stimulation of neural tissues. This capability allows for improved treatment of disorders such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy and post-traumatic epilepsy. These and related disorders are frequently the long term outcome of traumatic brain injury. Microdevices will be fabricated utilizing advanced micro-machining techniques and medically appropriate material. The second technology is brain lipid nanoparticles which are vehicles for therapy composed entirely of naturally occurring brain lipids. These vehicles will allow for the local delivery of therapeutics previously hindered by systemic toxicity and the lack of adequate routes of delivery to the injured tissue. The nanoparticles not only improve the efficacy of existing therapeutics, but are themselves beneficial, being composed entirely of vital brain lipids. Brain lipid nanoparticles will be made via high throughput synthesis. These two technologies will be developed and evaluated utilizing rodent models for acute traumatic brain injury and Parkinson's disease, as well as electrophysiological and neuropharmacological studies in awake-behaving non- human primates. Traumatic brain injury is a prevalent issue in active and retired members of the armed forces. These two technologies aim to prevent and mitigate the debilitating effects of TBI on multiple time scales, thus improving the welfare and survival of injured war fighters.
Project 2.3.3 Researchers
Prof. Robert Langer, Office of the Institute Professors
Prof. Michael Cima, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Prof. Daniel Anderson, Department of Chemical Engineering
Prof. Ann Graybiel, Office of the Institute Professors
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