Research Projects

Professor Colin Smith and his team are developing a brain bank which can support national and international research on small vessel disease and its links to stroke and thinking and memory problems

People with stroke due to brain hemorrhage have swelling around the hemorrhage on their brain scan. This programme is about understanding the effect of blood on brain cells, with a focus on finding treatments.

This research project aims to better understand how particular features of the CT scan can be used to make better treatment decisions for patients with ischaemic stroke, and whether we can accurately estimate the time since the stroke began.

Existing vision tests do not tell us how a patient’s life will be influenced by their vision problems. This project aims to understand how the results of vision tests relate to how stroke survivors will be able to function in their daily lives.

People who have survived a previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) are at particularly high risk of subsequent, ‘recurrent’ stroke with 30% having another stroke in the following five years. High blood pressure is the most important reversible risk factor for having a recurrent stroke. The aim of this study is to develop and test a self-monitoring system of high blood pressure, tailored to the needs of stroke and TIA survivors, which will include self-adjustment of medication where possible in consultation with a GP.

The project aims to employ similar techniques to the PLORAS project to predict which patients are most suited to which speech and language therapy.

This study will investigate whether adult stem cells can be transformed and used to reduce inflammation in the brain after stroke, and promote recovery.

This research aims to find out more about how thinking and mood are affected long-term after stroke, and the impact it has on people’s lives.

Anxiety and depression are common after a stroke. Mindfulness is becoming an increasingly popular way for people to manage their psychological health. This study aims to refine and test a mindfulness course specifically designed for people affected by stroke.

Torpor is a natural state of reduced energy use and body temperature. This research will look at the effect of torpor on brain activity and function, and the amount of brain damage caused by ischaemic stroke.