# NIBA-TBI:  Neuro-Imaging and biofluid-based Biomarker Assessments as translational pathophysiological outcome measures in TBI

> **NIH NIH UH3** · MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2023 · $356,607

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY- ABSTRACT
Currently, preclinical TBI research and testing of experimental therapeutic in animal
models of TBI models, the most commonly used outcome endpoints are lesion
volume/size, neuronal cell preservation and behavioral functional outcome measures
(such as Morris water maze, rotarod). While these measures are clearly useful – they
lack the ability to inform on the underlying distinct pathophysiological mechanisms
relevant in human TBI. These factors might have contributed to the lack of translational
success for new TBI therapeutics from animal models efficacy to clinical trial efficacy.
Consistent with the vision of the Translational Outcomes Project in Neurotrauma (TOP-
NT) (UG3/UH3) RFA, here we carefully assembled a multidisciplinary team and
proposed to evaluate two complementary pathological mechanism-based TBI outcome
measures – (i) biofluid biomarker assessment, and (ii) MRI-neuroimaging biomarker
assessment. These assessments are chosen because they are both highly quantitative
and can readily transition into clinical TBI studies and future therapeutic trials. Our
central hypothesis is as follows: In preclinical multi-site multi-TBI animal model setting,
biofluid-based biomarker and quantitative MRI-based neuroimaging biomarker
assessment can be developed into useful translational outcome measures that can help
address a range of clinical TBI pathological mechanistic subphenotypes including axonal
injury, contusion/tissue necrosis, loss of synaptic continuity, white matter injury,
microvascular injury/brain hemorrhage and neuroinflammation. We have also put
together a “Clinical TBI Translational Advisory” panel to assist us with translating our
findings into clinical studies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10833962
- **Project number:** 7UH3NS106938-05
- **Recipient organization:** MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** KEVIN Ka Wang WANG
- **Activity code:** UH3 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $356,607
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2018-04-15 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10833962

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10833962, NIBA-TBI:  Neuro-Imaging and biofluid-based Biomarker Assessments as translational pathophysiological outcome measures in TBI (7UH3NS106938-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10833962. Licensed CC0.

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