Red blood cells and glucose problems after a stroke
Official title: The Role of Red Blood Cell in Stroke-Related Hyperglycemia
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11325093 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how red blood cells behave during and after a stroke when blood sugar is high, and what that means for recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $422,572 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS134819-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11325093 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have had an ischemic stroke and experience acute hyperglycemia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without ischemic stroke or without elevated blood glucose may not benefit.
What this research studies
After a stroke, high blood sugar can worsen outcomes, and simply lowering sugar isn’t always enough. The study will examine red blood cells to understand how they’re affected by high glucose and how that influence might harm brain blood vessels. Researchers will analyze blood samples from stroke patients and run lab experiments to see how RBC changes impact brain cells and recovery. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could point to new ways to protect patients with stroke and high blood sugar.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies to protect the brain after a stroke by targeting red blood cell pathways affected by high glucose.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests red blood cell changes are linked to stroke outcomes, but this project explores a novel mechanism in RBC glucose metabolism and its effects on brain vessels.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deng, Wenjun — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Deng, Wenjun
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating how red blood cells affect high blood sugar after a stroke
This study is looking at how high blood sugar affects red blood cells in stroke patients, to see if these changes make it harder for them to recover and to find new ways to help improve their healing.
-
Stroke prevention with hydroxyurea for children with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria
A multinational, patient-facing study tests whether hydroxyurea can safely prevent first strokes in Nigerian children with sickle cell anemia.
-
Music-powered tools to boost blood pressure and stroke prevention for Nigerian youth and their older caregivers
This project uses popular music to help Nigerian youths and their older family members start and stick to blood pressure and stroke prevention habits.
-
Determinants of Post-Stroke Cognitive Outcomes and Vascular Effects on Recovery
A large, multi-site effort aims to understand why some stroke survivors develop long-term cognitive problems and dementia, and how vascular health and pre-existing brain changes influence recovery.
-
LRP1 controls NSC movement and stroke recovery
This NIH grant studies how a brain receptor called LRP1 helps neural stem cells move to stroke injuries and support recovery in adults.
-
BBB Dysfunction after Stroke and Risk for Dementia
A study at Stanford will look at whether inflammation after a stroke leads to leaky blood vessels and later dementia, by following stroke survivors and comparing them with people without stroke.
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.