A longitudinal study of the post-stroke immune response and cognitive functioning: the StrokeCog study protocol.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Stroke is a leading cause of long-term cognitive impairment.
• The immunological mechanisms underlying post-stroke cognitive decline remain largely unknown.
• The StrokeCog study aims to explore the link between immune responses and cognitive trajectories after ischemic stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between immunological responses and long-term cognitive trajectories in ischemic stroke survivors.
• To investigate the role of immune system changes in cognitive decline following stroke.
• To identify potential biomarkers for predicting cognitive outcomes after stroke.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, observational, single-center cohort study.
• Annual collection of comprehensive neuropsychological assessments, plasma/serum samples, and psychosocial data for up to 4 years.
• Utilizes single-cell sequencing of monocytes and plasma proteomics to analyze immunological profiles.

Main Results:

• The study is designed to enroll 210 participants, with an anticipated final sample size of 158 after attrition.
• Statistical power calculations indicate the ability to detect significant cognitive changes.
• Analysis will correlate detailed immunological measures with observed cognitive trajectories.

Conclusions:

• The StrokeCog study will offer new insights into the relationship between immune system activity and cognitive changes occurring years after an ischemic stroke.
• Findings may elucidate the immunological underpinnings of persistent cognitive deficits post-stroke.