How the body's internal clock affects stroke recovery

Circadian Effects in the Stroke Penumbra

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11043414

This study is looking at how our body's natural clock affects how strokes happen and how well people recover from them, hoping to find better ways to treat stroke patients based on the time of day.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11043414 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the body's circadian rhythms, or internal biological clocks, influence the progression and recovery from strokes. It focuses on understanding the differences in stroke outcomes based on the time of day when strokes occur, particularly comparing the effects on nocturnal rodents and diurnal humans. The study will explore blood flow, metabolism, and cell death in the brain during strokes at different times of the circadian cycle, aiming to identify optimal conditions for neuroprotection. By mapping these effects, the research seeks to improve treatment strategies for stroke patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced an ischemic stroke, particularly those who can participate in trials during different times of the day.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced a stroke or those with other types of neurological disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective stroke treatments tailored to the time of day, improving recovery outcomes for patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the concept of circadian rhythms affecting health is established, this specific approach to stroke recovery is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.

Where this research is happening

Boston, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.