BBB Dysfunction after Stroke and Dementia Risk
Official title: BBB Dysfunction in Post-Stroke Dementia
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11395559 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant aims to understand why some people develop dementia years after a stroke by looking at brain inflammation and blood vessel leakage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $347,545 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS124927-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395559 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a history of chronic stroke, plus a smaller group of individuals without stroke for comparison, across multiple sites.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not show the specific brain changes being studied or may not benefit from potential imaging biomarkers.
What this research studies
If you’ve had a stroke, you could be at higher risk for dementia years later. The project studies how ongoing inflammation after a stroke may cause fragile blood vessels and leakage in the brain, which could contribute to cognitive decline. Researchers will look for MRI signals and blood markers to identify people at risk. They plan to enroll about 200 stroke survivors and 50 people without stroke across three sites to see how these brain changes relate to memory and thinking over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to MRI tests and treatments to monitor and reduce dementia risk after stroke.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies showed inflammation after stroke is linked to cognitive decline, with human data suggesting lasting brain inflammation; this study advances to living patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buckwalter, Marion S — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Buckwalter, Marion S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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BBB Dysfunction after Stroke and Risk for Dementia
A study at Stanford will look at whether inflammation after a stroke leads to leaky blood vessels and later dementia, by following stroke survivors and comparing them with people without stroke.
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DNMT3a and oligodendrocyte renewal after stroke
A patient-focused study will explore how a specific gene, DNMT3a, might help repair brain white matter after a stroke to reduce dementia risk.
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Leaky brain blood vessels after stroke linked to dementia
This work looks for MRI signs and blood markers of leaky blood vessels and inflammation in people who had a stroke years ago and may be at risk for memory and thinking problems.
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Understanding and reducing cognitive problems after stroke
A study from the University of Michigan aims to see if simple cognitive activities and sleep improvements can lower the risk of developing vascular cognitive impairment and dementia after stroke.
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Post-stroke cognitive decline and dementia: understanding and preventing PSCID
A large NIH project will use real-world data from two million stroke records to better understand how many people develop PSCID and what factors raise that risk, with the goal of guiding prevention and care.
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Environmental stressors and dementia risk across diverse populations
This study asks how everyday environmental stressors like pollution, noise, and access to green spaces affect dementia and stroke risk in adults aged 21 and older.
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.