How gut immune cells influence stroke outcomes

The Role of Dendritic Cells in Regulating the Gut-Brain Immune Axis in Ischemic Stroke

NIH-funded research Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11285327

This research looks at how gut bacteria and a type of immune cell called dendritic cells change inflammation after an ischemic stroke to help people recover better.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWeill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11285327 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you or a loved one has had an ischemic stroke, researchers will explore how intestinal microbes interact with dendritic immune cells to shape the body's inflammatory response to the brain injury. They will use laboratory models and cellular analyses to trace the signals between gut bacteria, immune cells, and the injured brain. The team will manipulate gut microbes and dendritic cell pathways to identify which changes reduce brain inflammation and improve recovery. Findings will be used to guide potential blood- or stool-based markers and new therapies that target the gut-immune connection.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people who have experienced an ischemic stroke or are at high risk and who can provide blood and stool samples or attend clinic visits for immune testing.

Not a fit: People with non-ischemic brain injuries (for example hemorrhagic stroke) or those unable or unwilling to provide biological samples or travel for visits are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to reduce brain damage and improve recovery after ischemic stroke by targeting gut microbes or dendritic cell signals.

How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have suggested gut microbes influence stroke outcomes, but translating those findings into proven human treatments remains unproven.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired brain injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.