Blood gene activity to predict stroke recovery

Whole Transcriptome Studies of Blood to Predict Stroke Outcome

NIH-funded research University of California at Davis · NIH-11415219

This project uses gene patterns in blood taken soon after an ischemic stroke to try to predict how well people will recover by 90 days.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California at Davis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Davis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11415219 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you have an ischemic stroke, researchers would collect blood about 1 day and again about 3 days after the event and measure all RNA in the sample using whole-genome sequencing. They will compare your gene-expression patterns to people with similar vascular risk factors who did not have a stroke and identify genes and pathways linked to later recovery. The team will combine these molecular signals with clinical information to build a prediction tool that aims to be better than age, sex, and initial stroke severity alone. Findings will be checked against multiple outcome measures, including the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults who recently experienced an ischemic (not hemorrhagic) stroke, can provide blood within about 1–3 days of the event, and can complete follow-up around 90 days are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without ischemic stroke (for example those with hemorrhagic stroke), those unable to give early blood samples, or those who cannot complete follow-up may not benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors more accurately predict recovery after stroke and tailor treatment and rehabilitation plans sooner.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary work suggests blood gene-expression can predict 90-day stroke outcome better than basic clinical features, but applying whole-genome RNA sequencing for this purpose is relatively new and still being validated.

Where this research is happening

Davis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.