Neuregulin-1 for improving recovery after ischemic stroke
Official title: Neuregulin-1 as a Therapeutic Treatment of Ischemic Stroke
Funded at Howard University · NIH-11224064 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work tests whether the drug neuregulin-1 can protect brain cells and help people recover after a blocked‑artery (ischemic) stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Howard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 1997 |
| Project end | October 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $471,119 |
| NIH project number | 5U54MD007597-37 |
| Project ID | NIH-11224064 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people who recently experienced an ischemic (blocked‑artery) stroke and meet clinical criteria for enrollment in a translational or clinical treatment protocol.
✕Less likely to help
People with hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke, those far past the acute/subacute recovery period, or patients with medical contraindications to the drug may not receive benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, researchers are developing the drug neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) as a treatment to limit brain damage and support repair after an ischemic stroke. Much of the current work has used animal stroke models showing reduced nerve cell death, less inflammation, and improved blood‑brain barrier integrity when NRG-1 is given even many hours after stroke. The team notes NRG-1 also improved neurological function when given days after injury in animals and that the drug has already shown benefit in human heart failure trials. The project aims to move this approach closer to treatments that could be tested in people who have had a stroke.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, NRG-1 could reduce brain injury, improve recovery of function, and broaden the time window when stroke patients can receive effective therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Animal studies showed strong protection and improved recovery with NRG-1, and NRG-1 has produced positive results in human heart failure trials, but its use for human ischemic stroke has not been well established.
Where this research is happening
-
Howard University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ford, Byron D. — Howard University
- Study coordinator: Ford, Byron D.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
-
EP2 blockers to protect the brain after a stroke
Aims to test brain-permeable EP2 antagonists to reduce damage after ischemic stroke and improve recovery.
-
Genetic testing to find causes of early-onset ischemic stroke
This project uses whole-exome sequencing to look for gene changes that may cause ischemic stroke in adults who had a stroke at a young age.
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Targeted nanomedicine to protect the brain after stroke
A targeted drug-delivery approach aims to boost blood-brain barrier repair and reduce brain damage after an acute ischemic stroke in patients at risk.
-
How biological aging and blood proteins relate to thinking after a stroke
This project looks at whether measures of biological aging and patterns of blood proteins help explain which stroke survivors keep their thinking sharp and which go on to develop vascular dementia.
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Repurposing NEXLETOL to treat ischemic stroke
Aims to see if the cholesterol drug NEXLETOL can help people after an ischemic stroke by supporting brain energy use and reducing injury.
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.