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Student's Project Tests Drug for Brain Injury
22 Oct
Summary
- A seventh grader's project tests methylene blue for neuroprotection.
- Injured fruit flies showed improved climbing and survival with medication.
- The project is a finalist in the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.
A California seventh grader has advanced as a finalist in the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. Her project investigates potential treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI), inspired by her brother's personal experience with a severe injury.
The student focused her research on secondary TBI, the damage that can occur after the initial impact. Using fruit flies as a model, she tested the medication methylene blue for its neuroprotective properties. The experiment involved administering different doses of the compound to fruit flies that had sustained simulated head impacts.
Results indicated that fruit flies treated with methylene blue showed enhanced climbing abilities and increased survival rates compared to untreated flies. The highest dosage group exhibited the most significant improvements. This early-stage research, while promising, requires further investigation in more complex models.
The student's work underscores the potential for young innovators to address significant health challenges through dedicated scientific inquiry. Her project is recognized among 30 finalists competing in the national middle school STEM competition.
