Understanding how high homocysteine levels worsen brain injury after a stroke
Official title: Molecular basis of hyperhomocysteinemia induced brain injury in ischemic stroke
Funded at University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · NIH-10802414 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how high levels of a substance called homocysteine in the blood might make brain damage worse for people who have had an ischemic stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2014 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $520,189 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS083914-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-10802414 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is for patients who have experienced an ischemic stroke and also have high levels of homocysteine in their blood.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose strokes are not related to high homocysteine levels may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
Many older adults have high homocysteine levels, even with folic acid in food, often due to changes in nutrition and metabolism as they age. While we know high homocysteine is linked to neurological problems, we don't fully understand how it directly affects stroke outcomes. This project aims to uncover a specific brain signaling pathway that appears to make stroke injury more severe when homocysteine levels are high. Our goal is to find new ways to protect the brain from damage in people who experience a stroke with high homocysteine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce brain damage and improve recovery for stroke patients with high homocysteine levels.
How similar studies have gone: Previous findings from this team suggest a novel signaling pathway is involved, building upon existing knowledge that high homocysteine is a risk factor for neurological diseases.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Poddar, Ranjana — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Poddar, Ranjana
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Investigating the role of microRNA210 in brain inflammation after ischemic stroke
This study is looking at how a tiny molecule called microRNA210 affects inflammation in the brain after a stroke, with the goal of finding new ways to help stroke patients recover better.
-
Improving blood flow after stroke by breaking down NETs
Aims to see if breaking down neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) after an ischemic stroke can improve blood flow and reduce brain injury in patients.
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EP2 blockers to protect the brain after a stroke
Aims to test brain-permeable EP2 antagonists to reduce damage after ischemic stroke and improve recovery.
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Genetic testing to find causes of early-onset ischemic stroke
This project uses whole-exome sequencing to look for gene changes that may cause ischemic stroke in adults who had a stroke at a young age.
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Targeted nanomedicine to protect the brain after stroke
A targeted drug-delivery approach aims to boost blood-brain barrier repair and reduce brain damage after an acute ischemic stroke in patients at risk.
-
How biological aging and blood proteins relate to thinking after a stroke
This project looks at whether measures of biological aging and patterns of blood proteins help explain which stroke survivors keep their thinking sharp and which go on to develop vascular dementia.
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.