BBB Dysfunction after Stroke and Risk for Dementia
Official title: BBB Dysfunction in Post-Stroke Dementia
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11610460 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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) | $68,079 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS124927-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11610460 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a history of chronic stroke and age-matched controls without prior stroke.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a history of stroke or with late-stage dementia may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
If you’ve had a stroke, you may be at higher risk for dementia later on. This project tests whether ongoing brain inflammation after stroke causes new blood vessels to be fragile and the blood-brain barrier to leak, which could contribute to cognitive decline. Researchers will use MRI to look for signs of barrier leakage in people with chronic stroke and in non-stroke controls across three sites. The goal is to identify a biomarker that could flag who is at risk so that future treatments can target the inflammatory process.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to early detection of dementia risk after stroke and pave the way for therapies to protect the brain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal and human studies show post-stroke inflammation and barrier changes; this study translates those findings into living humans with MRI biomarkers.
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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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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BBB Dysfunction after Stroke and Dementia Risk
This NIH grant aims to understand why some people develop dementia years after a stroke by looking at brain inflammation and blood vessel leakage.
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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.
-
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.