University of Coimbra researchers test new therapy for traumatic brain injury

Researchers at the University of Coimbra are testing an innovative therapeutic approach to treat traumatic brain injury (TBI), a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The study, part of the ‘therapY’ project, focuses on the role of neuropeptide Y, a substance naturally present in the human body.

By analyzing the hippocampus—the brain region responsible for memory and emotion—investigators discovered that the left and right hemispheres develop significantly different levels of inflammation and cellular stress following a trauma. The research indicates that an initially unilateral brain injury triggers distinct responses in both hemispheres, highlighting the complexity of secondary injury mechanisms.

In pre-clinical animal models, early intranasal administration of neuropeptide Y demonstrated the potential to attenuate changes in the blood-brain barrier, reduce neuroinflammatory responses, and improve behavioral parameters related to anxiety and memory. The research team is now working to further explore neuropeptide Y as a therapeutic target and to develop better methods for delivering treatments to the brain.