Protecting the Brain After Stroke Using a Sleep-Like State
Torpor for cerebroprotection
This research explores a special cooled, sleep-like state to protect the brain and reduce damage after a stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11175326 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, and even with quick treatment, brain damage often continues to worsen. This project investigates a natural protective state called torpor, where the body's temperature and metabolism slow down. Researchers have found a way to create a similar "synthetic torpor" by activating specific brain cells in mice, which has shown promise in reducing brain injury and improving survival after a stroke. The goal is to understand how this protective state works at a cellular level, aiming to develop new strategies to minimize brain damage for stroke patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research focuses on understanding brain injury after acute stroke in adults, particularly those aged 21 and older.
Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced an acute acquired brain injury, such as a stroke, would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the extent of brain damage and improve long-term recovery for individuals who have experienced a stroke.
How similar studies have performed: While therapeutic hypothermia has been explored, this specific method of inducing "synthetic torpor" through targeted brain cells represents a novel and promising approach.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Landsness, Eric C — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Landsness, Eric C
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.