Protecting the brain's white matter from stroke damage
Preconditioning brain white matter against ischemia
This project is testing a drug (CX-4945) to help shield the brain's white matter from damage during stroke, including in older adults.
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 ID | NIH-11318941 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research is exploring whether a drug called CX-4945 (Silmitasertib) can 'precondition' white matter so it tolerates low blood flow better. The team uses lab-grown tissue and animal models to see if the drug preserves axon function, keeps mitochondria moving, and leads to better behavior after an ischemic injury. Researchers are paying special attention to aging and sex differences because older adults and women may respond differently. The long-term aim is to develop a drug-based approach that could reduce white-matter injury and improve recovery after stroke.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people who have had an ischemic stroke or are at high risk for recurrent ischemic events, particularly older adults.
Not a fit: People with hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke or unrelated neurological conditions, or those who cannot take CK2-inhibitor drugs, are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lessen white-matter injury from stroke and improve neurological recovery and daily functioning for survivors.
How similar studies have performed: Ischemic preconditioning has protected gray matter in prior preclinical work and early data show CX-4945 can precondition white matter in lab and animal models, but pharmacological white-matter preconditioning is still an emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baltan, Selva — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Baltan, Selva
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.