Pericyte signaling in diabetic stroke-related cognitive problems
Official title: Pericyte phenotypic switching in diabetic post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI)
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11447514 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing study exploring how blood vessel cells and inflammation after stroke interact in people with diabetes to influence cognitive decline and dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $594,435 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS146933-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11447514 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a history of stroke and diabetes who are at risk for cognitive impairment or dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a history of stroke or diabetes or those without cognitive concerns may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how diabetes and stroke together affect thinking and memory by studying brain cells called pericytes and immune cells. Researchers will examine the signaling between blood vessel cells and microglia and how diabetes may disrupt protective signals, potentially leading to worse cognitive outcomes after stroke. The work aims to uncover mechanisms and identify targets that could lead to new treatments to protect cognition in people who have had a stroke and have diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could point to new approaches to protect or improve thinking and memory after stroke in people with diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked diabetes and stroke to higher dementia risk, but this work seeks to understand specific cell signaling pathways in PSCI.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alkayed, Nabil J — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Alkayed, Nabil J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding and reducing cognitive problems after stroke
A study from the University of Michigan aims to see if simple cognitive activities and sleep improvements can lower the risk of developing vascular cognitive impairment and dementia after stroke.
-
Post-stroke cognitive decline and dementia: understanding and preventing PSCID
A large NIH project will use real-world data from two million stroke records to better understand how many people develop PSCID and what factors raise that risk, with the goal of guiding prevention and care.
-
Aging immune reactions to released mitochondria worsen thinking and memory after stroke
This project explores whether age-related immune changes make mitochondria released after stroke trigger inflammation that worsens thinking and memory in older stroke survivors.
-
Understanding how cognitive impairment affects walking recovery in older adults after a stroke
This study is looking at how memory and thinking skills affect older adults' ability to learn new ways of walking after a stroke, so we can create better rehab programs to help them recover.
-
Low red blood cell enzyme linked to thinking and memory problems after stroke
This work looks at whether low levels of a red blood cell enzyme (BPGM) are connected to thinking and memory problems in people who have had an ischemic stroke.
-
AI to Predict Memory and Thinking Problems After Stroke
This project uses artificial intelligence to help doctors understand which stroke patients might develop memory and thinking problems, so they can receive better care.
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.