A nanoparticle developed at Rice University and tested in
collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) may bring great benefits to
the emergency treatment of brain-injury victims, even those with mild injuries.
Combined polyethylene glycol-hydrophilic carbon clusters
(PEG-HCC), already being tested to enhance cancer treatment, are also adept
antioxidants. In animal studies, injections of PEG-HCC during initial treatment
after an injury helped restore balance to the brain’s vascular system.
The results were reported this month in the American
Chemical Society journal ACS Nano.