# BCCMA: Predicting TBI Pathology with Visual and Blood-based Biomarkers

> **NIH VA I01** · IOWA CITY VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · —

## Abstract

The purpose of this collaborative project is to identify robust biomarkers that predict chronic neuronal dysfunction
following traumatic brain injury {TBI). Evaluating TBl-induced pathology and dysfunction in the brain can be
challenging. We hypothesize that the retina can serve as a surrogate to monitor the rate of
neurodegeneration occurring in the brain following injury. Furthennore, we hypothesize that bloodbased
biomarkers correlate with TBl-mediated neurodegeneration in the retina and brain.
Our collaborative project will leverage the unique strengths of each investigative team by sharing samples among
sites to coordinate and harmonize the outcomes used in this study. While every project will not use identical
outcomes, our shared outcomes will be uniform among studies. All three animal model sites can leverage their
unique strengths. The Gainesville VA has access to a state of the art 11 tesla MRI magnet and will receive fixed
brain samples from each site for ex vivo imaging. The Iowa City VA will quantify axons in the optic nerve and
conduct immunohistochemical analysis of retinal and brain sections from all sites. The serum samples from
cohorts all cohorts will be analyzed by the Iowa City and Gainesville VA to examine the expression of autoantibodies
(Iowa), brain and retinal protein expression in the blood (Gainesville), and cytokine expression in the
blood (Gainesville).
The clinical studies of Veterans with TB/ will also be coordinated among sites. The Atlanta VA will assess retinal
function and structure of Veterans with TB/. The Gainesville VA will coordinate and synchronize the cognitive
analysis of subjects between the Atlanta and Gainesville VAs. The Gainesville VA will also perform, analyze,
and interpret MRls on Veterans with TB/.
Each project will perform an independent statistical analysis on the data. In addition, the San Francisco VA will
coordinate the curation of all data generated in each project and upload the data to an open data commons. The
San Francisco VA will conduct big data and pattern recognition analysis using the entire set of data from all
projects. The San Francisco VA will also use the biomechanical modeling data generated from Project 4 to
determine how induction of injury and transmission of energy affects long-term neurological outcomes.
Project Summary/Abstract

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10694431
- **Project number:** 1I01BX005855-01A2
- **Recipient organization:** IOWA CITY VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Matthew M. Harper
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-10-01 → 2027-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10694431

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10694431, BCCMA: Predicting TBI Pathology with Visual and Blood-based Biomarkers (1I01BX005855-01A2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10694431. Licensed CC0.

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