How B cells help the brain recover after stroke
B Cells Directly Alter Adaptive Plasticity to Support Functional Recovery After Stroke
This work looks at whether a special group of B cells that make BDNF can help people regain thinking and movement after ischemic stroke, especially in older adults and women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137597 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The project focuses on a subset of B cells that produce brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and whether those cells support recovery of thinking and motor skills after ischemic stroke. Researchers use young and aged male and female mice to mimic post-stroke recovery and measure B cell responses, neuronal plasticity, motor function, and multiple types of cognition. Experiments will test if glutamate triggers B cells to increase BDNF and whether B cell-derived BDNF is required for recovery. A key aim is to determine if aged females have impaired B cell BDNF production that could explain higher rates of post-stroke dementia and depression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research would be most relevant to adults who have had an ischemic stroke and are at risk for post-stroke cognitive decline or motor impairment, especially older adults and women.
Not a fit: People without ischemic stroke or those whose recovery is driven by unrelated mechanisms, or patients outside the biological window for immune-driven repair, may not benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to therapies that boost B cell-derived BDNF to improve motor recovery and lower the chance of post-stroke cognitive decline, particularly in older women.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior animal work shows immune cells can aid brain repair, but directly linking B cell-derived BDNF to preventing post-stroke cognitive decline is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stowe, Ann Marie — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Stowe, Ann Marie
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.