Corneal damage from TBI (traumatic brain injury)
About This Grant
ABSTRACT Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often leads to vision loss and damage to cranial dura mater (CDM), the outermost brain meningeal covering, which regulates the brain’s metabolic waste and cerebrospinal fluid outflow. The incidence of TBI- related disability in men is 2.2 times higher than in women, but reasons for this disparity remain unknown. CDM shares sensory innervation with cornea through trigeminal ganglion system forming anatomo- physiological link between easily accessible cornea and unreachable CDM. Our resent collaborative study identified a connection between corneal injury and alterations in the connective tissue and microvasculature of the CDM. Additional pilot data support these findings and show delayed time-dependent corneal damage in response to mild TBI. Importantly, we reveal the involvement of decorin, a small leucine-rich extracellular matrix proteoglycan, in cornea-CDM crosstalk post injury. Our recent novel in vivo findings and human clinical literature led us to hypothesis that TBI-induced insult to CDM leads to neuroinflammatory alterations in cornea via ophthalmic division of the trigeminal ganglion supplying sensory innervation to cornea and this pathological event is modulated by the decorin. The primary goal of the project is to identify mechanism of TBI/CDM-injury to cornea and test if decorin can serve as a therapeutic target to regulate this pathological process. The results of study will lead to identification of mechanisms mediating corneal dysfunction post TBI/CDM injury and uncovering of strategies for treating TBI/CDM-induced corneal damage resulting vision loss in vivo. The two Specific Aims will test novel hypothesis and accomplish goal of current project. Specific Aim 1 elucidates how TBI/CDM-injury alters neuroinflammatory responses in cornea in vivo using a well-established mouse model. Specific Aim 2 tests if decorin has therapeutic potential to regulate TBI/CDM-mediated pathological responses in cornea in vivo using decorin-knockout (loss-of-function) mouse model and insult to CDM. Our multidisciplinary team has cornea and CDM experts with experience in TBI/CDM-injury in vivo mouse model, and has established methods, published protocols, and vast expertise in corneal and CDM research with experience in clinical eye imaging, quantitative computer-based image analysis, and molecular techniques. The scientific impact of project is high as successful will (a) advance understanding of the anatomo-physiological connection between cornea and CDM provided by trigeminal system, (b) unveil neuroinflammatory link between cornea and CDM, (c) improve clinical diagnostic approach for pathophysiology of cornea and TBI disorders associated with the activation of trigeminal system, (d) fill knowledge gaps regarding the sex-based differences in anatomo-physiological connection between cornea and CDM, and (e) allow us to collect pilot data for R01 application to extend this research.
Grant Summary
Corneal damage from TBI (traumatic brain injury) is a NEI - National Eye Institute grant providing up to $431K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2028-04-30 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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How to Apply
Up to $431K
2028-04-30
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Corneal damage from TBI (traumatic brain injury) from NEI - National Eye Institute, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NEI - National Eye Institute before the deadline.
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Corneal damage from TBI (traumatic brain injury): Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Corneal damage from TBI (traumatic brain injury)?
Corneal damage from TBI (traumatic brain injury) is offered by NEI - National Eye Institute and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Corneal damage from TBI (traumatic brain injury) provide?
Corneal damage from TBI (traumatic brain injury) provides up to $431K per award from NEI - National Eye Institute. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Corneal damage from TBI (traumatic brain injury) deadline?
Applications for Corneal damage from TBI (traumatic brain injury) are due 2028-04-30 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NEI - National Eye Institute, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Corneal damage from TBI (traumatic brain injury)?
To apply for Corneal damage from TBI (traumatic brain injury), confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NEI - National Eye Institute.