NIH-funded research R01 grant

Precise imaging to guide thrombectomy for posterior circulation strokes

Official title: PRECISE (PeRfusion imaging to identify postErior CIrculation candidateS for thrombectomy)

Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11345266 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A study at Stanford will test whether special brain imaging helps doctors decide which patients with rare posterior circulation strokes should get thrombectomy.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2021
Project endApril 30, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$1,332,991
NIH project number5R01NS121720-05
Project IDNIH-11345266 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults 21 years or older with acute ischemic stroke due to vertebral or basilar artery occlusion and within 24 hours of symptom onset.

Less likely to help

Patients without suitable perfusion imaging patterns or outside the treatment window may not benefit from the imaging-guided approach.

What this research studies

This project follows adults with acute stroke caused by vertebral or basilar artery blockage to see if perfusion imaging before thrombectomy can identify who will benefit most. Using CT or MRI perfusion, researchers will look for imaging patterns that predict good outcomes after the clot-removing procedure. Participants will receive the standard care of thrombectomy, with imaging data guiding treatment decisions. The goal is to improve outcomes and reduce disability for this high-risk stroke group.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could tailor treatment to patients with posterior circulation strokes, potentially improving recovery and reducing disability.

How similar studies have gone: Previous work in anterior circulation strokes showed benefits from perfusion imaging; this study extends the question to posterior circulation strokes.

Where this research is happening

  • Stanford University
    Stanford, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Albers, Gregory W — Stanford University
  • Study coordinator: Albers, Gregory W

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Robotic ultrasound-guided clot removal for stroke treatment

    A new robot-assisted ultrasound system is being developed to help quickly reopen brain arteries during a stroke, with testing in patient-specific 3D-printed models and animal studies.

    NIH research Georgia Institute of Technology · Atlanta, United States · NIH-11510958

  • Modeling Acute Ischemic Stroke to Improve Mechanical Thrombectomy

    A research project is creating better computer models and animal studies to help remove clots more safely and effectively in people who have an acute ischemic stroke.

    NIH research Pennsylvania State University, the · University Park, United States · NIH-11464942

  • Milli-spinner thrombectomy for faster clot removal in acute brain stroke

    A new, spinner-based clot-removal device is being studied to remove brain clots more quickly and safely in stroke patients.

    NIH research Stanford University · Stanford, United States · NIH-11457969

  • Predictors of recovery after stroke in rural Appalachia

    This project tests blood protein markers to predict cognitive recovery after a stroke treated with thrombectomy, focusing on rural Appalachian patients.

    NIH research University of Kentucky · Lexington, United States · NIH-11362286

  • Predicting Mechanical Thrombectomy Outcomes with Smart, Transparent AI

    A patient-friendly look at how new AI models may predict how well mechanical thrombectomy could work for individuals with acute ischemic stroke.

    NIH research Northwestern University · Chicago, United States · NIH-11290590

  • Improving treatment for severe strokes using advanced techniques

    This study is looking at how well a special procedure called endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) works for people having a stroke caused by blocked blood vessels, and it aims to find out if new tools and treatments can help even more patients recover better.

    NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-11237311

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.