Boosting surface brain vessel blood flow during large strokes
Official title: Targeting Pial Collaterals for Acute Stroke Treatment
Funded at University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-11057594 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests treatments to keep tiny surface brain vessels open during a major ischemic stroke to help people—especially those with chronic high blood pressure—save more brain tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2015 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $444,945 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS093289-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057594 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have had or are at high risk for acute large-vessel ischemic stroke—particularly those with chronic high blood pressure—would be the most relevant candidates for related trials.
✕Less likely to help
People with bleeding (hemorrhagic) stroke, small-vessel stroke types, or conditions unrelated to large-vessel ischemia are unlikely to benefit from these specific approaches.
What this research studies
You would hear that researchers are focused on the pial collaterals, small surface brain vessels that can keep blood flowing to threatened brain tissue during a large-vessel stroke. In lab studies they compare vessels from animals with normal blood pressure and with chronic hypertension to see why high blood pressure causes these vessels to constrict and fail. The team studies molecules such as angiotensin II and PAI-1 that drive vessel tightening and tests ways to prevent that constriction so the penumbra gets more blood. The long-term aim is to develop treatments that could be used during or soon after a large-vessel stroke to preserve brain tissue and improve recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that preserve more brain tissue during large-vessel strokes and improve recovery, especially for people with chronic hypertension.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal studies, including this team's published work, suggest that targeting angiotensin II–related vessel constriction can improve collateral flow, but successful translation to people remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Burlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cipolla, Marilyn J — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Cipolla, Marilyn J
Related research
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-
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Targeting a brain inflammation regulator to protect cells after a stroke
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Predicting brain tissue outcome after acute stroke using AI
A researchers at Stanford are testing an AI system that uses brain scans and clinical data to predict which parts of the brain will recover after an acute stroke and how treatment might help.
-
Helping brain recovery for people with severe paralysis after a recent stroke
This project builds a wearable in-bed robot to give gentle movement and sensory training to adults with severe weakness right after a stroke.
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.