MIND Diet for Dementia Prevention After Stroke
Official title: MIND DIET AND DEMENTIA PREVENTION IN ISCHEMIC STROKE PATIENTS
Funded at Rush University Medical Center · NIH-11134717 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores if a special diet called the MIND diet can help prevent memory and thinking problems in people who have recently had an ischemic stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,917,850 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG062637-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134717 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals aged 60-80 who have recently been hospitalized for an acute ischemic stroke, do not have dementia, and are discharged home.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced an ischemic stroke or already have dementia may not be suitable for this specific intervention.
What this research studies
This is a Phase III randomized-controlled trial comparing the MIND diet plus usual post-stroke care against usual care alone. Over three years, researchers will observe 500 patients aged 60-80 who recently experienced an ischemic stroke. The goal is to see if the MIND diet can reduce cognitive decline, improve brain health markers related to Alzheimer's and vascular disease, and help with daily activities and mood. This approach aims to find a lifestyle modification that could protect brain health after a stroke.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this diet could offer a simple, non-drug way to protect brain health and prevent dementia after a stroke.
How similar studies have gone: While other diets like DASH and Mediterranean have shown promise for cognitive function in older adults, the effectiveness of the MIND diet specifically for preventing dementia after stroke is currently unknown.
Where this research is happening
-
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aggarwal, Neelum T. — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Aggarwal, Neelum T.
Related research
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Artery cell channels and stroke-related dementia in older men and women
This work looks at whether blocking an artery-cell channel called Panx1 can help older men and women have less brain damage and dementia after an ischemic stroke.
-
Abbreviated heart MRI to quickly find stroke causes
A short MRI-based test is being developed to quickly and affordably identify the cause of an acute ischemic stroke in patients.
-
Understanding Blood Thinners for Older Stroke Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
This project helps doctors choose the best blood thinner for older patients who have had a stroke and also have an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation.
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Using advanced MRI to improve treatment for acute ischemic stroke patients
This study is looking at a new way to use special MRI scans to find brain areas that are still healthy enough to treat after a stroke, even if it's been a while since the stroke happened, so that more patients can get the help they need to recover.
-
BBB Dysfunction after Stroke and Risk for Dementia
A study at Stanford will look at whether inflammation after a stroke leads to leaky blood vessels and later dementia, by following stroke survivors and comparing them with people without stroke.
-
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.
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.