Investigating how astrocytes affect the blood-brain barrier after a stroke
Official title: Astrocytic NBCe1 in regulation of blood brain barrier integrity
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10810958 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a type of brain cell called astrocytes helps protect the blood-brain barrier after a stroke, and it hopes to find new ways to help people recover from strokes by understanding what happens when these cells don't work properly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $428,400 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS131754-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10810958 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 experiencing neurological impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had a stroke or have other unrelated neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of astrocytes, a type of brain cell, in maintaining the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), particularly after an ischemic stroke. The study examines how dysfunction in astrocytes can lead to BBB disruption, which is a critical factor in brain damage following a stroke. By exploring the mechanisms of a specific transporter protein, NBCe1, in astrocytes, the research aims to uncover how these cells contribute to BBB regulation and the potential consequences of their dysfunction. Patients may benefit from insights gained that could lead to new therapeutic strategies for stroke recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that protect the blood-brain barrier and improve recovery outcomes for stroke patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting astrocyte function can lead to improvements in brain health after injury, suggesting that this approach may hold promise.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Begum, Gulnaz — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Begum, Gulnaz
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.