Fast penumbral imaging to guide stroke treatment
Official title: Development of fast penumbral imaging in acute ischemic stroke
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11393050 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to develop quick MRI techniques to identify tissue at risk in acute ischemic stroke and help decide whether to use advanced clot-busting treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2013 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $419,475 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS083654-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393050 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable here as the study is preclinical; the results could later inform stroke patients eligible for imaging-guided therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not immediate; findings may help future patients through improved imaging guidance.
What this research studies
This project focuses on creating fast MRI methods that measure tissue pH and diffusion properties to pinpoint the penumbra—the brain tissue at risk but not yet dead—in stroke patients. The researchers will test these imaging methods in animal models of stroke to see if they can better indicate who might benefit from late reperfusion therapies, beyond time-based criteria. Building on prior imaging advances, the team will refine and validate metabolic MRI markers that could inform clinical decisions about mechanical thrombectomy or other interventions. The goal is to translate imaging biomarkers into faster, more accurate treatment choices for patients who wake up with stroke symptoms or present outside traditional treatment windows.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to faster, more accurate imaging-based decisions that expand treatment options for stroke patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have advanced penumbra imaging and metabolic MRI markers, with ongoing translation into clinical practice.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Phillip Zhe — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Sun, Phillip Zhe
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeted nanomedicine to protect the brain after stroke
A targeted drug-delivery approach aims to boost blood-brain barrier repair and reduce brain damage after an acute ischemic stroke in patients at risk.
-
Modeling Acute Ischemic Stroke to Improve Mechanical Thrombectomy
A research project is creating better computer models and animal studies to help remove clots more safely and effectively in people who have an acute ischemic stroke.
-
Nanoparticle-delivered tPA to overcome clot resistance in acute ischemic stroke
A Mayo Clinic team is testing a nanoparticle-delivered tPA approach to help dissolve clots more effectively in people with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel blockage.
-
Engineered tissue regulatory T cells as a treatment for stroke
A new off-the-shelf cell therapy using engineered regulatory T cells could help people who have an ischemic stroke recover by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair.
-
Circadian factors shaping reperfusion success in acute stroke
This grant looks at how the body’s internal clock might influence how well stroke patients respond to clot-busting or clot-removal treatments.
-
A practical brain-cooling device to protect the brain during acute ischemic stroke
A new, patient-friendly endovascular cooling system aims to protect brain tissue during emergency stroke treatment to improve recovery.
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.