Using transferred mitochondria to help the brain recover movement and thinking after stroke
Extracellular Mitochondria Transfer in Gray and White Matter for Ameliorating Sensorimotor and Cognitive Deficits After Stroke
This work will see if moving healthy mitochondria between brain cells can help people regain movement and thinking skills after a stroke.
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 ID | NIH-11264758 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research looks at how brain cells release and share mitochondria and whether boosting that process helps the brain heal after stroke. Scientists will study a chemical tag called O-GlcNAc and proteins like DJ1 to understand how they affect mitochondrial release, protection, and breakdown using lab models of stroke. They will use imaging, electrophysiology, and single-cell sequencing to examine effects on the blood-brain barrier, neurons, and myelin-supporting cells. The goal is to learn mechanisms that could guide treatments to improve motor and cognitive recovery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People recovering from ischemic stroke who have motor and/or cognitive deficits and are interested in experimental therapies would be the most likely candidates for related clinical work.
Not a fit: People without stroke, those whose symptoms are unrelated to brain injury, or those with very long-standing, irreversible brain damage are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new therapies that improve movement and thinking recovery after stroke.
How similar studies have performed: Related lab and animal studies of mitochondrial transfer have shown protective effects, but clinical benefit in people has not yet been demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hayakawa, Kazuhide — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Hayakawa, Kazuhide
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.