Our clinical research
Using a clinical study involving patients in the UK and US, we are investigating whether the inflammation and changes in the type and behaviour of immune cells seen in many stroke survivors is linked to post-stroke cognitive decline.
This research takes place alongside our pre-clinical research.
What is this study about?
Stroke is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. In the first five years after a stroke, up to a third of stroke survivors experience cognitive decline. This is one of the most distressing complications and has a significant impact on survivors’ ability to work and lead normal lives.
There are currently no treatments for post-stroke cognitive decline. However, research by members of the Stroke-IMPaCT Network and others suggests that it may be possible to understand what causes post-stroke cognitive decline and develop ways to treat it.
This study is investigating whether the inflammation and changes in the type and behaviour of immune cells seen in many stroke survivors is linked to post-stroke cognitive decline.
What has happened in the study?
Approximately 300 patients (participants) who have had an acute ischemic stroke have been recruited to the study. Patients have mainly been recruited at the Hyperacute Stroke Unit at Salford Royal Hospital (part of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (UK) or Stanford Health Care (US).
Participants have had blood samples taken approximately 2 days, 6 months, 18 months and 30 months after they have had their stroke (NB not all participants have completed follow up visits as yet – expected study end date September 2027).
In addition, participants complete questionnaires to test their cognitive function (e.g. memory) at each of these times. Participants may also have a brain scan (MRI) shortly after their stroke and at 6 and 30 months after.
Researchers in the network are studying the patients’ blood for signs of inflammation, looking at the type of immune cells that are present, and testing how well these immune cells are working. They will examine whether there are any links between what is found in the patients’ blood and how well the patients perform on the cognitive tests and what the brain scans show.
Control patients who have similar risk factors for stroke as the stroke participants, but have not had a stroke have also been recruited.
Approval and funding information
NHS ethical approval was gained from the Health Research Authority (Wales REC3 Research Ethics Committee) on 28 June, 2021 (IRAS Project Number: 275726).
Funding statement
This research is funded by Fondation Leducq as one of their Transatlantic Networks of Excellence. Fondation Leducq is an international charitable organisation funding collaborative research in cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Disclaimer
The views expressed on this website are not necessarily those of the Fondation Leducq or the NHS.