Cerebrovascular Disease

We aim to recruit 1000 small vessel disease stroke cases as defined by an MRI scan. Details about the stroke, cardiovascular risk factors, family history and other health details will be collected and a small blood sample taken for DNA. A Genome Wide Association Study, which can identify up to one million variants across somebody’s genomes will be carried out on the DNA to look for novel genes associated with these stroke cases.

Further information is on the Health Research Authority website.

We are developing software to help interpret clinical information and brain scans in a way that will allow us to target treatment for acute stroke patients more effectively. More information can be found about this study on the Health Research Authority website.

We are using new genetic screening technology to look for previously unknown genes linked with hereditary cerebral small vessel disease. A fuller summary is available on the Health Research Authority website.

We are investigating the underlying biological associations and recovery courses of reliably subtyped different categories of stroke. During a long-term follow up of patients in this study, we will will analyze factors that affect stroke prognosis in order to inform preventative measures and improved treatment strategies. Further information can be found on the Health Research Authority website.

Stimulation of the vagus nerve may cause release of important chemicals in the brain which help the brain recover after stroke. The purpose of the study is to determine the efficacy and safety of this therapy (VNS + Rehabilitation).

Find out more on the Health Research Authority website.

This is a trial to cpompare a strategy of intensive BP treatment guided by telemetric home monitoring versus standard care in adult survivors of Small Vessel Disease related Intra Cerebral Haemorrhage. We will establish feasibility and explore whether the intervention reduces the progression of SVD-injury on brain MRI.

Find out more on the Health Research Authority website.

About 35,000 people each year in the UK have a type of stroke, called ‘lacunar’ or ‘small vessel’ stroke, which is different to other common types of stroke and for which there is no proven treatment. Small vessel stroke is caused by damage to the lining of the tiny blood vessels in the brain that stops the vessels functioning normally and damages the brain. This could be the cause of up to 45% of all dementias. Two drugs that are commonly used in other vessel diseases may help improve small vessel function and prevent worsening of brain damage.

Find out more on the Health Research Authority website.

This study is looking at the effectiveness and safety of 2 doses of S44819 in patients’ functional and cognitive recovery after a recent disabling ischemic stroke.

Find out more on the Health Research Authority website.

One in five people who survive brain haemorrhage have an irregular heart rhythm called ‘atrial fibrillation’, which puts them at risk of stroke and other blood clots. Blood-thinning medicines, known as ‘anticoagulant’ drugs, are used in everyday clinical practice to protect people with atrial fibrillation from developing blood clots. However, these drugs also increase the risk of bleeding and are usually stopped when the brain haemorrhage occurs. But when patients recover from brain haemorrhage, they and their doctors are often uncertain about whether to start or stop these drugs to prevent further clots occurring, or whether to avoid them in case they increase the risk of brain haemorrhage happening again. We want to find out whether starting or not starting an anticoagulant drugs is better for those patients.

Find out more on the Health Research Authority website.

Aerobic exercise can be undertaken by most people, even if they’re disabled or cannot sit or stand up. Small studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in chronic stroke patients have shown moderate aerobic exercise increases cerebral blood flow. However, no studies have evaluated the safety of aerobic exercise acutely after stroke, nor whether it affects cerebral blood flow (CBF).
Remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC), ischaemia induced to a limb for short periods of time by inflating pressure cuffs around arms or legs to above systolic pressures (mmHg), often results in improved collateralisation of blood supply and improved efficiencies of cellular metabolism.

This project is listed on the Health Research Authority website. 

The aim of this study is to assess if stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation find it acceptable to undertake chronic remote ischaemic conditioning (CRIC) for a period of 6 weeks. Also to establish if it is feasible to undertake a randomised control trial of CRIC to reduce fatigue and enhance the physical performance of patients undergoing rehabilitation following stroke?

More information on this study can be found on the Health Research Authority website.