Brain-wave markers to predict thinking problems after a small stroke

Digital Biomarkers for Vascular Cognitive Decline in Patients with Minor Stroke

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11297638

This project is seeing if patterns in brain recordings (MEG and EEG) can predict which people with small strokes will develop lasting problems with attention, thinking, or processing speed.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-11297638 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would have noninvasive brain recordings (MEG and EEG) soon after your minor stroke and again during follow-up visits. Researchers will use deep learning to compare brain-network patterns in people who recover versus those who have lasting cognitive problems. The goal is to build a model that ultimately works with inexpensive EEG alone so the test could be used widely. If the model works, it could let doctors identify at-risk patients early and offer treatments or support sooner.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults who recently had a small (minor) ischemic stroke and are experiencing new difficulties with attention, thinking, or processing speed.

Not a fit: People with large or severe strokes, established non-vascular dementia, or those unable to undergo MEG/EEG recordings are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow early identification of people likely to develop lasting vascular cognitive problems so treatment or support can begin sooner.

How similar studies have performed: Previous MEG and EEG studies show stroke can disrupt brain networks and suggest promise, but combining multimodal recordings with deep learning to predict long-term decline is relatively new and not yet proven.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, 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.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.