Stroke prevention in sub-Saharan Africa using simple pill combinations for stroke survivors
Official title: Stroke Minimization through Additive Anti-atherosclerotic Agents in Routine Treatment II Study
Funded at Northern California Institute/res/edu · NIH-11425387 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large study tests if a fixed-dose pill combo (aspirin, statin, and blood pressure medicine) given to stroke survivors in sub-Saharan Africa helps keep new strokes from happening.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northern California Institute/res/edu NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $402,442 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS129133-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11425387 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults in sub-Saharan Africa who have survived a stroke and are candidates for secondary prevention therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have contraindications to one or more components of the polypill or who cannot access follow-up care may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on people who have survived a stroke in sub-Saharan Africa, especially Ghana, and aims to see if a low-cost, fixed-dose combination pill can improve adherence to secondary prevention medications. By testing a polypill strategy that combines aspirin, a statin, and BP-lowering drugs, researchers hope to reduce the chance of another stroke and death in real-world settings. The study considers how best to implement this approach in a resource-limited health system, including how patients and providers adopt the treatment in routine care. Outcomes will include medication adherence, blood pressure control, lipid levels, and rates of recurrent stroke.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the polypill approach could simplify treatment, improve adherence, and lower recurrent stroke risk among stroke survivors in Africa.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies in other regions suggest fixed-dose combinations can improve adherence, but effectiveness in sub-Saharan Africa remains to be proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Northern California Institute/res/edu
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ovbiagele, Bruce — Northern California Institute/res/edu
- Study coordinator: Ovbiagele, Bruce
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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.