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VA Funds Research on Prevention of Hemorrhage and Death after Traumatic Brain Injury

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rehabilitation and Research Division is funding a research study on the prevention of hemorrhage and death after traumatic brain injury.

The research team is headed by UI Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Professor of Neuro-ophthalmology, Randy Kardon, MD, PhD (UI and VA) and includes Co-PI, Tatjana Lazik, DVM (Iowa State University and VA), Co-investigators, Sinisa Grozdanic, DVM, PhD (Iowa State University), Erin Lavik, PhD (Case Western Reserve), Anumantha Kanthasamy, PhD (Iowa State University), Matt Harper, PhD (Iowa State University and VA), and Bridget Zimmerman, PhD (UI). Dr. Lazik is a veterinary pathologist and researcher in the College of Veterinary Medicine, ISU, and also has a joint appointment with the Iowa City VA through the Center of Excellence for the Prevention and Treatment of Vision Loss (Randy Kardon MD. PhD, Director and Michael Abramoff MD, PhD, Associate Director, Sinisa Grozdanic, DVM, PhD, Director of Animal Research).

This grant received a very high priority score at the 12th percentile and is being funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation and Research Division for $1million dollars for 4 years.

The overall research objectives for this proposal are to thoroughly characterize effects of blast injury on the function and structure of the brain and visual system (retina, optic nerve, visual radiations, and visual cortex).

Furthermore, the team will evaluate the efficacy of two new treatments:

a novel infusible nanoparticle with synthetic platelet aggregation activity developed to restore discontinuities in the injured endothelium and to reduce blast-induced hemorrhage and death, and
determine whether slow release of steroids from the nanoparticle synthetic platelet aggregator will have a positive clinical effect on neurological and visual system outcome.

The proposed experiments for this study have a high relevance for the treatment and rehabilitation of wounded warriors exposed to blast injury and trauma and are consistent with current top priorities of the Veterans Administration and Department of Defense in terms of advanced care for blast-induced traumatic brain injury.