Understanding and reducing cognitive problems after stroke
Official title: Determining modifiable factors for post-stroke Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11384379 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study from the University of Michigan aims to see if simple cognitive activities and sleep improvements can lower the risk of developing vascular cognitive impairment and dementia after stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 4, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $576,047 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS140071-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384379 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have had a stroke and are at risk for vascular cognitive impairment.
✕Less likely to help
People who have not had a stroke or do not have cognitive concerns related to VCID may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you’ve had a stroke, this project will explore whether engaging in everyday cognitive activities like reading or puzzles, and addressing sleep problems such as sleep apnea, can help prevent later cognitive decline. Researchers will follow adults over several years to see how these practices relate to changes in thinking and memory. The study focuses on people 21 and older who have had a stroke and will look at practical, accessible strategies that could be used in routine care. By understanding modifiable factors, the team hopes to identify easy steps families and clinicians can take to protect brain health after stroke.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to simple, cost-effective recommendations to reduce the risk of VCID after stroke.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked cognitive activities with lower dementia risk in stroke-free adults, but this study specifically tests their effect after stroke.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Springer, Mellanie V — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Springer, Mellanie V
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Post-stroke cognitive decline and dementia: understanding and preventing PSCID
A large NIH project will use real-world data from two million stroke records to better understand how many people develop PSCID and what factors raise that risk, with the goal of guiding prevention and care.
-
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This study is looking at how strokes can lead to memory and thinking problems, especially in people who have had a stroke, and it aims to find out what factors might increase the risk and whether certain medications can help prevent these issues for stroke survivors.
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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.
-
Global picture of dementia risk and memory loss across the world
A large international effort gathers data from many studies to understand how dementia and memory problems develop around the world, using shared information to reveal patterns and risk factors.
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.