The UTHealth Houston Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases brings together experts and resources to improve stroke research and patient care. Through specialized cores focused on clinical trials, data management, imaging, mental health, community outreach, and a bio-repository, the institute supports innovative research and real-world solutions. By fostering collaboration between scientists, investigators, healthcare providers, trainees, and the community, they aim to make a meaningful impact on stroke treatment and recovery.
Bio-Repository Core
We are collecting bio-specimens from stroke patients admitted to the MHH system. We are making this resource available to all investigators interested in pursuing cerebrovascular research. We are also working with industry partners on the development of biomarkers for cerebrovascular disease.
Clinical Trial Core
This core is made up of a group of clinical trialists and bio-statisticians highly experienced in conducting cerebrovascular research. This group has members who lead clinical trials in stroke and know how to fully initiate, implement, and close out clinical stroke trials. We have all of the capabilities to serve as an academic CRO for stroke clinical trials and we have extensive experience preparing INDs on new therapeutic strategies for stroke. Our team also has extensive experience monitoring clinical trials at remote sites even in other countries.
Community Engagement Core
The goal of this core is to create opportunities for researchers to build a coalition between communities, community based organizations and academia. We will build sustainable community partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Data Management and Analytics Core (DMAC)
This core oversees all aspects of data analysis and management for clinical research studies and also maintains our stroke patient registry of over 20,000 patients. We have experience serving as a data coordinating center for multi-center studies.
Imaging Core
Directed by Neuroimaging scientists, this core is collecting images on all patients to complement our stroke registry and Bio-Repository. Our group is also serving as the imaging analysis center for international stroke trials in acute stroke and stroke recovery.
Mental Health Core
Through research on psychosocial stress, we hope to develop better educative and supportive services for stroke survivors and their informal caregivers. Our goal is to minimize psychosocial stressors in our community of stroke survivors and their informal caregivers by addressing the mind-body connection and its impact on stroke recovery.