AQP4 and the brain's cleanup system in stroke recovery
AQP4 and glymphatic function in post-stroke recovery
This project uses new MRI scans to learn how a water channel called AQP4 and the brain's glymphatic cleanup system affect recovery after stroke in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143274 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you've had a stroke, researchers will use new MRI techniques designed to measure how well your brain clears fluid and waste and how that relates to swelling and healing. They will develop and refine these MRI methods in the lab and then apply them to adults recovering from stroke to link imaging results with brain edema and recovery outcomes. The work focuses on AQP4, a protein that helps move water in the brain and may drive glymphatic flow, so imaging signals can be tied to underlying biology. The goal is to create practical imaging markers that could guide future treatments to protect brain tissue and improve long-term function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) recovering from an acute stroke who can tolerate MRI scans and attend imaging visits at the study site.
Not a fit: People who cannot have MRI (due to incompatible implants, severe claustrophobia, or medical instability), those under 21, or those unable to travel to the study site may not be eligible or benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could produce MRI-based markers that identify patients at risk for harmful brain swelling and point to new ways to protect brain tissue and enhance recovery.
How similar studies have performed: Early research on the glymphatic system and AQP4 shows promise, but applying quantitative MRI to measure glymphatic function in stroke patients is relatively new and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Xin — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Yu, Xin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.