How aging brain support cells affect stroke and recovery in menopausal women
Epigenetics of the Aging Astrocyte: Implications for stroke
This project looks at whether age-related changes in brain support cells (astrocytes) and a small RNA called miR-20a-3p change how severe strokes are and how well middle-aged and postmenopausal women recover.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11233439 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers study why strokes are worse after reproductive aging by comparing younger and middle-aged female models and examining epigenetic changes in astrocytes (the brain's support cells). They focus on a small molecule, miR-20a-3p, that behaves very differently in young versus middle-aged females after stroke. In animal work they give miR-20a-3p intravenously after stroke to see if it reduces brain damage, improves movement recovery, and prevents long-term problems with thinking and mood. The team links acute molecular events to chronic cognitive and depressive changes to guide future human treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be middle-aged or postmenopausal women who have experienced an ischemic stroke and are willing to take part in studies of hormone-related or molecular treatments.
Not a fit: Younger premenopausal women, men, or people with hemorrhagic (non-ischemic) strokes are less likely to benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that reduce stroke damage and lower the risk of long-term cognitive decline and depression in menopausal women.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal work from this group showed that intravenous miR-20a-3p reduced infarct size and improved short- and long-term outcomes in middle-aged female rats, but applying this approach to humans is novel.
Where this research is happening
College Station, United States
- Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr — College Station, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sohrabji, Farida — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Sohrabji, Farida
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 below.