Evaluation of Predictive Circulating Biomarkers for Rehabilitation Recovery in Stroke and Vascular Severe Brain Injury From Lacunar Stroke to Vascular Severe Brain Injury

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the use of biomarkers found in blood-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) to predict recovery outcomes in people who have had a stroke or vascular severe brain injury (vSBI). This study focuses on improving clinical management during rehabilitation by identifying early indicators that reflect brain damage, neuroinflammation, neuronal regeneration, and angiogenesis processes. The study also aims to understand how healthcare-associated infections impact patient recovery and to personalize rehabilitation protocols based on patient stratification. Participants include 30 stroke patients and 30 patients with vSBI recruited from specialized rehabilitation centers. Blood samples will be collected at three key points: admission to rehabilitation (T0), halfway through the rehabilitation program (T1), and at discharge (T2). Extracellular vesicles will be isolated and analyzed using an advanced Surface Plasmon Resonance imaging (SPRi) biosensor targeting EVs from different cell types such as endothelial cells, neurons, microglia, muscle, and neutrophils. This allows monitoring of molecular markers relevant to brain injury and recovery. During the study, patients will undergo blood withdrawals and clinical assessments using neurological and functional scales including the modified Barthel index, NIH Stroke Scale, Coma Recovery Scale, and others. The research team will correlate EV biomarker data with patient recovery progress from admission to discharge, typically within two months. The study aims to provide objective measures that could help predict rehabilitation outcomes and support personalized treatment plans to improve quality of life.

Blood Extracellular Vesicles as Predictive Recovery Biomarker After Stroke and Brain Injury