Freeze-Dried Platelets Combat TBI Brain Swelling and Bleeding

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Freeze-Dried Platelets Combat TBI Brain Swelling and Bleeding

Summary: Researchers have identified a potential breakthrough for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) using a freeze-dried blood product called “Thrombosomes.” Originally designed for battlefield hemorrhage, this product has demonstrated a unique ability to stabilize damaged blood vessels in the brain, reducing both immediate bleeding and the dangerous brain swelling (edema) that typically follows days later.

The study suggests that these shelf-stable platelets outperform fresh platelets in protecting the “leaky” vessels associated with TBI, providing a much-needed tool for ambulances and remote clinics.

Key Facts

• Five-Year Shelf Life: Unlike fresh platelets, which expire after only seven days and require refrigeration, Thrombosomes are freeze-dried with a sugar called trehalose and can be stored at room temperature for up to five years.
• Stabilizing the “Leak”: The product contains high levels of a specific protein that activates receptors on blood vessel cells, reinforcing them against the “leakiness” that causes life-threatening cerebral edema.
• Superior to Fresh Platelets: While fresh platelets are used for clotting, they haven’t been effective against TBI. Thrombosomes appear to concentrate potent “factors” that go beyond simple clotting to actively reduce brain inflammation.
• Fast-Track Potential: Because Thrombosomes are already in Phase II clinical trials for bleeding disorders, their safety in humans is established, which could significantly accelerate testing for TBI patients.

Source: UCSF

A freeze-dried blood product that could be stored for years on ambulances or in remote emergency departments is showing promise at treating traumatic brain injuries.

The news comes from a mouse study done by researchers at UC San Francisco. If it pans out in people, it could answer a huge unmet need for therapies that treat these injuries, which are the leading cause of death in people under 44 years old.