Potential Breakthrough in TBI Treatment
A research team at Mass General Brigham has developed a nasal spray designed to target neuroinflammation, offering new hope for treating traumatic brain injury (TBI). In a mouse model of TBI, the nasal anti-CD3 spray significantly reduced central nervous system damage and improved behavioral deficits. These findings suggest that the treatment could become a viable therapeutic option for TBI and other acute brain injuries.
The study, recently published in Nature Neuroscience, highlights the potential of this innovative approach to addressing a condition with no current long-term treatment options.
Chronic Inflammation: A Major Cause of TBI-Related Decline
“Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability, often resulting in cognitive decline. Chronic inflammation plays a key role in this process,” said Dr. Saef Izzy, the study’s lead author and head of the Immunology of Brain Injury Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH).
Currently, no treatments exist to prevent the long-term effects of TBI. The researchers explored the monoclonal antibody Foralumab, developed by Tiziana. It has already been tested in clinical trials for multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and other conditions.
New Hope for Hard-to-Treat Brain Injuries
“This research opens a new frontier in TBI treatment,” said senior author Dr. Howard Weiner, co-director of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at BWH. “If successful, it could also help patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and other stroke-related brain injuries—conditions that have long been difficult to treat.”
How the Nasal Spray Works
As reported by medicalxpress, researchers conducted multiple experiments on mice with moderate-to-severe TBI to understand how the nasal spray interacts with the brain’s immune system. The study revealed that regulatory cells induced by the nasal treatment communicate with microglial immune cells in the brain. This interaction helps modulate the neuroinflammatory response.
As a result, the treated mice exhibited improved neurological outcomes, including reduced anxiety, better cognitive function, and enhanced motor skills.
Next Steps: Moving from Lab to Clinic
Beyond studying the treatment’s effects, the research team gained new insights into immune response patterns over time. The next phase involves translating these promising preclinical results into human trials.
“Our patients with TBI still lack an effective treatment to improve their long-term outcomes,” Izzy emphasized. “Now, we have a science-backed approach that could finally change that.”
A Future Game-Changer for Athletes and More
Looking ahead, Weiner envisions a future for this nasal spray. It could be used immediately after head injuries, possibly even on the sidelines of football games.
“We’re not there yet, but the potential is clear,” he said. “If this treatment proves effective in clinical trials, it could be a game-changer for athletes suffering from repetitive concussions and many others affected by brain injuries.”