Brain networks and reading after stroke and aging
Official title: Brain networks for reading in stroke alexia and typical aging
Funded at Georgetown University · NIH-11397483 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large study at Georgetown University aims to understand why reading is impaired after stroke and how aging affects reading, using advanced brain imaging to map the networks that support reading.”
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgetown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $662,075 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020446-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397483 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have experienced stroke with reading impairments or aging adults without stroke who have typical reading abilities.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without reading difficulties or stroke may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project looks at how stroke and aging affect reading by studying both people who have alexia and those who read typically. Researchers will use multimodal brain imaging and detailed reading tests to build a new model called Reading Integrated with Speech and Semantics (RISS). The study seeks to pinpoint which brain networks and connections, when damaged, lead to reading difficulties and how the brain may recover reading skills over time. The findings could guide better diagnosis and personalized therapies to help patients regain reading abilities after stroke.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could improve diagnosis and treatment plans for people with post-stroke reading difficulties and influence strategies to support reading during aging.
How similar studies have gone: Previous smaller studies showed general links between brain damage and reading problems, but this project aims to confirm and refine those links in a large, advanced imaging study.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgetown University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Turkeltaub, Peter Ethan — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Turkeltaub, Peter Ethan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How biological aging and blood proteins relate to thinking after a stroke
This project looks at whether measures of biological aging and patterns of blood proteins help explain which stroke survivors keep their thinking sharp and which go on to develop vascular dementia.
-
Epigenetic changes in aging brain support stroke recovery in aging women
This project explores how aging-related brain cells, especially astrocytes, respond after a stroke in older women and how hormones and epigenetic changes influence recovery and dementia risk.
-
Hip-protecting wearable airbags for older stroke survivors
A wearable hip airbag system using a stroke-specific fall-detection algorithm aims to reduce hip injuries for people aged 65+ who have had a stroke.
-
Brain changes after stroke: how aging and tongue exercises affect swallowing
A study from UW–Madison looks at why swallowing trouble after stroke persists, and whether age and tongue exercises can help restore swallowing more than just using tricks.
-
Aging immune reactions to released mitochondria worsen thinking and memory after stroke
This project explores whether age-related immune changes make mitochondria released after stroke trigger inflammation that worsens thinking and memory in older stroke survivors.
-
How the brain helps people keep standing balance as we age or after a stroke
This project measures brain activity while young adults, older adults, and people who have had a stroke do balance tasks to learn how the brain helps keep you steady.
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.