Understanding how high homocysteine levels worsen brain injury after a stroke
Molecular basis of hyperhomocysteinemia induced brain injury in ischemic stroke
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 ID | NIH-10802414 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for patients who have experienced an ischemic stroke and also have high levels of homocysteine in their blood.
Not a fit: Patients whose strokes are not related to high homocysteine levels may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
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 performed: 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
Albuquerque, United States
- 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
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.