How brain activity influences stroke damage and recovery
The relationship between neuronal activity and stroke
This project looks at how spreading brain activity right after an ischemic stroke changes where and how much brain is damaged, to help people with middle cerebral artery strokes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11239774 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use a rat model of middle cerebral artery blockage to mimic human ischemic stroke and apply timed sensory or optogenetic stimulation after the blockage. They will use wide-field imaging to watch blood flow and cortical activity, record electrical signals with microelectrode arrays, and perform histology and pharmacology to probe mechanisms. Machine learning tools will map the relationship between the spread of neural activity and the locations/volumes of protected versus damaged tissue. Together these approaches aim to explain why early stimulation can be protective but later stimulation becomes harmful.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who have had an acute cortical ischemic stroke affecting the middle cerebral artery within the early hours after symptom onset would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: People with hemorrhagic strokes, strokes outside the middle cerebral artery territory, or those far beyond the acute time window are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to time sensory or brain stimulation and other therapies to reduce stroke damage.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies, including work from this lab, showed early sensory stimulation can protect brain tissue in rats, but translating these findings to human stroke treatment remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Frostig, Ron D — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Frostig, Ron D
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.