How platelets affect brain injury after a stroke
Official title: Platelet-Mediated Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Regulate Ischemic Stroke Injury
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11169374 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain blood cells, called platelets and neutrophils, can cause damage during strokes when blood flow to the brain is blocked, and it aims to find new ways to help stroke patients recover better by testing a new treatment that stops a harmful process these cells create.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $494,533 |
| NIH project number | 7R01HL163019-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11169374 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced an ischemic stroke and are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had a stroke or those with hemorrhagic strokes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of platelets and neutrophils in causing damage during ischemic strokes, which occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked. The study aims to understand how these blood cells interact and contribute to stroke injury, particularly focusing on a process called neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. By exploring the mechanisms behind NET release and its effects on stroke outcomes, the researchers hope to identify new therapeutic targets that could improve recovery for stroke patients. The approach includes laboratory experiments and animal models to test the effectiveness of a novel treatment that inhibits NET formation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly improve recovery and outcomes for stroke patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of NETs in other conditions has been studied, this specific approach to targeting NET formation in ischemic stroke is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Campbell, Robert a — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Campbell, Robert a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
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.
-
How biological aging and blood proteins relate to thinking after a stroke
This project looks at whether measures of biological aging and patterns of blood proteins help explain which stroke survivors keep their thinking sharp and which go on to develop vascular dementia.
-
Repurposing NEXLETOL to treat ischemic stroke
Aims to see if the cholesterol drug NEXLETOL can help people after an ischemic stroke by supporting brain energy use and reducing injury.
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.