A first-in-human trial is exploring whether targeted brain cooling can improve outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury while reducing the need for whole-body hypothermia.
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Addenbrooke’s Hospital, is trialling the use of the CB240 Aurora – a portable cooling collar applied around the neck which aims to lower brain temperature in a measured way - to assess whether this can improve recovery after brain injury in a 12-month study which commenced in February 2026.
Induced hypothermia can limit swelling after stroke or brain injury. The CB240 Aurora selective temperature control collar cools the blood flowing through the arteries of the neck and lowers brain temperature without inducing full-body hypothermia or systemic complications such as immune suppression or chest infection. The aim is to reduce brain fever, minimise side effects and improve overall recovery for patients with severe traumatic brain injury, as well as reducing the need to use intensive resources. Due to the portable nature of the device, it is anticipated it could eventually be used by paramedics at the roadside or at sporting events.
The study is notable for being the first in-human study of its kind and is being conducted under Addenbrookes’ Neurosciences and Trauma Critical Care teams. The randomised trial involves monitoring the brain temperature of 20 patients and whether this can be maintained at safe levels without the need for whole-body cooling. Half of the patients will receive brain cooling with the collar for the first 72-hours post-injury, with the remainder receiving standard current therapies. Blood samples are also being obtained to measure brain damage biomarkers that demonstrate the level of brain injury and effectiveness of the treatment.
The study expands on an earlier study’s exploration of the technology in a randomised trial of 10 patients (as reported in Volume 40 of Neurocritical Care 27 July 2023 - A Novel Technology for Targeted Brain Temperature Management | Neurocritical Care | Springer Nature Link).
Dr Andrea Lavinio, the current study lead, has said: “In traumatic brain injury, hypothermia has long been considered a potentially neuroprotective strategy, but large clinical trials have not demonstrated a consistent benefit.”
“One possible explanation is that the side-effects associated with whole-body cooling may outweigh any neuroprotective effects.”
“This pilot study will assess whether selective, brain-directed temperature control can be delivered while minimising systemic effects.”
A further study is also being conducted to consider the wider potential application of the cooling collar to evaluate whether it can protect the brain and regulate temperature in the event of acute ischaemic stroke.
We await the outcome of the study with interest given the potential for the cooling collar to reduce the effect of traumatic brain injury, improve functional ability and therefore impact on the quantum of claims.
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