Improving Brain Blood Flow for Carotid Artery Narrowing
Official title: Carotid Revascularization and Medical Management for Asymptomatic CarotidStenosis Trial - Hemodynamics (CREST-H)
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11144981 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at whether improving blood flow to the brain can help prevent or reverse memory and thinking problems in people with a narrowed carotid artery who haven't had a stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2017 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $574,392 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS097876-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144981 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with a significant narrowing of the carotid artery who have not experienced a stroke but may be experiencing early signs of cognitive changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already had a stroke or do not have significant carotid artery narrowing may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
Many people with a narrowed carotid artery in their neck might not have had a stroke, but they could still experience problems with their memory and thinking due to reduced blood flow to the brain. This project aims to find out if procedures to open up the carotid artery, combined with excellent medical care, can help improve or stabilize these cognitive issues. Participants are part of a larger effort, CREST-2, where some receive a procedure (either surgery or a stent) plus medical management, while others receive medical management alone. We measure brain blood flow and cognitive function to understand the effects of these treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could offer a new way to protect brain function and prevent cognitive decline in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery narrowing.
How similar studies have gone: While there is evidence that poor blood flow affects cognition, this is the first randomized clinical effort to test if treating carotid narrowing can improve cognitive decline.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marshall, Randolph S — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Marshall, Randolph S
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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.