GWAS clues to migraine and stroke risk
Official title: GWAS-Based Neurovascular Etiology of Migraine and its Associated Risk of Ischemic Stroke
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11364731 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study using genetic data from people with migraine to understand why migraine is linked to higher stroke risk and to identify new treatment targets.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $745,570 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS141856-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364731 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with migraine, especially those with aura, or a family history of migraine and vascular risk, may benefit from later developments.
✕Less likely to help
People without migraine or with no vascular risk factors may not directly benefit from this basic genetic research.
What this research studies
This project analyzes large genetic datasets to pinpoint genetic factors that connect migraine with vascular health and stroke risk. By focusing on brain and blood vessel biology, researchers hope to uncover why some people experience migraines with aura and why their stroke risk is higher. The team will use computational approaches to map how genetic variants influence brain and blood vessel function, potentially revealing new targets for therapies. The work is rooted in human genetic data so findings should be relevant to people living with migraine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to new treatment targets and strategies to reduce stroke risk in people with migraine.
How similar studies have gone: Previous GWAS studies have identified migraine-related loci; this project extends that work to link vascular biology with stroke risk.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chasman, Daniel Ian — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Chasman, Daniel Ian
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Safety of CGRP-targeting migraine drugs in stroke risk
This grant studies whether CGRP-blocking migraine medicines could raise the risk of brain stroke or worsen outcomes in people who have vascular events.
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Investigating the safety of migraine treatments in patients with a history of stroke
This study is looking at new migraine treatments that block a molecule important for blood flow in the brain to see if they might raise the risk of stroke or other brain issues, especially for people who have migraines and a history of stroke.
-
Improving blood flow after stroke by breaking down NETs
Aims to see if breaking down neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) after an ischemic stroke can improve blood flow and reduce brain injury in patients.
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EP2 blockers to protect the brain after a stroke
Aims to test brain-permeable EP2 antagonists to reduce damage after ischemic stroke and improve recovery.
-
Genetic testing to find causes of early-onset ischemic stroke
This project uses whole-exome sequencing to look for gene changes that may cause ischemic stroke in adults who had a stroke at a young age.
-
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.
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.