How the skull's bone marrow affects inflammation and recovery after stroke

The Skull Bone Marrow Niche After Stroke

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11292888

Finding out whether immune cells made in the skull's bone marrow drive brain inflammation and affect recovery after stroke.

Quick facts

Grant typeR37 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11292888 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be asked to help researchers learn how immune cells originating in the skull move into the brain after an ischemic stroke and influence healing. The team will study tiny channels in the skull that connect bone marrow to the brain surface using imaging, tissue and fluid samples, and laboratory analyses. They will compare skull marrow behavior to other bones and examine signals that control immune cell production and release. The work aims to identify points where inflammation after stroke could be reduced to improve recovery.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People who recently had an ischemic stroke and are willing to provide medical data or biological samples would be most relevant.

Not a fit: People with non-ischemic brain conditions or those unable to travel to the study center or provide samples may not directly benefit from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could point to new ways to reduce harmful post-stroke inflammation and improve recovery.

How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and early human studies showed skull marrow supplies immune cells to the brain, but translating this into treatments is still new.

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.