Stroke

Research Interests

Ultrasonic imaging in stroke

Ultrasonic imaging in cerebrovascular disease is a major strength of the department and there is dedicated research laboratory in the department.

1. Embolic signal detection
There is a long standing programme developing and applying Doppler ultrasound to detect cerebral emboli. Projects include both technical developments and the clinical application of the technique to caroitd stenosis, atrial fibrillation and to evaluating novel anti-platelet agents. This work ranges from novel signal processing to improve the detection of emboli, to a large international multi-centre study to look at their predictive value.(the Asymptomatic Carotid Emboli (ACES) study).

2. Cerebral blood flow measurements
We use a novel cerebral flow velocity imaging (CVI-Q) to measure cerebral haemodynamics and have used this to determine the role of nitric oxide in regulating the human cerebral circulation. We have facilities for non-invasively measuring cerebral reactivity, dynamic cerebral autoregulation and vasoneuronal coupling.

3. Carotid artery Intima-media measurements
This technique is used to study the relationship of genetic and other novel stroke risk factors with cerebral artery disease particularly in the African Caribbean Population.   

Genetics of ischaemic stroke

1. Polygenic ischaemic stroke
We are determining the role of a number of candidate genes in pathogenesis of ischaemic stroke. A particular interest is potential genetic causes of the doubling in stroke risk found in UK African Caribbeans. We have a large database of carefully phenotyped cases of ischaemic stroke and are always keen to collaborate with other groups wishing to share this resource.

2. CADASIL
We are carrying out a national surveillance project to establish the prevalence and optimal screening protocols for the autosomal dominant form of subcortical stroke, CADASIL. See the CADASIL study pages for more information.