Protecting the brain after stroke by targeting the gut with IGF-1
Targeting the Gut for Stroke Neuroprotection; IGF-1 Modulation of the Blood-Gut Barrier
This project tests whether targeting the gut and the blood-gut barrier with IGF-1 can reduce brain damage and long-term memory and mood problems after ischemic stroke, particularly in older postmenopausal women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11390954 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
They use a rat model that mimics the postmenopausal state to study how ischemic stroke affects the brain and the gut. IGF-1 is delivered to examine whether it preserves barrier function, reduces inflammation, and limits the size of the brain injury. The team follows longer-term outcomes such as memory and depressive-like behaviors and analyzes gut bacteria using 16S sequencing to link microbiome changes to recovery. The goal is to identify gut-related mechanisms that could be targeted to protect older women after stroke.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Most relevant candidates would be older, postmenopausal women who have experienced an ischemic stroke and are interested in gut-brain approaches to recovery.
Not a fit: People without ischemic stroke, individuals with hemorrhagic stroke, or younger premenopausal patients are less likely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new gut-directed treatments that protect brain tissue and lower the risk of post-stroke cognitive decline and depression in older women.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal work shows intracerebral IGF-1 can reduce acute brain injury, but benefits for long-term mood, cognition, and systemic inflammation remain unclear, so the approach is partly promising but still experimental.
Where this research is happening
College Station, United States
- Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr — College Station, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sohrabji, Farida — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Sohrabji, Farida
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 below.