The University of Michigan Stroke Program has a broad research agenda from molecular biology to community based participatory research. Researchers are investigating genetic syndromes that pre-dispose to stroke syndromes. Vascular biology and possible neuro-toxicities of medications used to treat stroke are also being investigated.
A Focus on Health Disparities
The group has a fundamental interest in health disparities and uses the disease stroke as a common, expensive and severe model disease to look at the impact on minority populations and women. The U-M Stroke Program is the home of two stroke surveillance studies: the Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC) and the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study. In addition to epidemiology, behavioral interventions are conducted by the group to reduce the impact of disease, particularly through a community-based participatory research approach in partnership with the Flint community. The intersection of sleep apnea and stroke is a critically important research focus of the stroke group. The role of sleep apnea as an explanatory variable in health disparities is a part of this investigation. In addition, the U-M Stroke and Sleep Medicine Programs are conducting a definitive trial, called Sleep SMART, to evaluate whether treating sleep apnea reduces post-stroke disability or helps prevent another stroke, ACS, or death. Finally, the team is exploring the role of stroke and dementia and brain health.
Healthcare Resource Utilization and Cost-Effectiveness Research
A third focus of the research group is health care resource utilization and cost-effectiveness studies looking at the prevention, treatment and recovery from stroke. These efforts are intended to provide a scientific basis for rational health care decision making.
National and Regional Leadership
An NINDS funded Emergency Neurology Clinical Trials Network is a prominent focus of our work. The University of Michigan is also a Regional Coordinating Center for the NINDS-funded StrokeNet.
Funding
We are supported by numerous NIH and American Heart Association Awards.
