Grant: Project Grant

Stroke is a debilitating disease caused by a blockage of blood flow to the brain. After stroke, astrocytes, a type of non-neuronal cell in the brain, respond and play roles that can be detrimental or beneficial for recovery. Understanding the astrocyte response to stroke and the factors that influence astrocyte functions after injury is important for identifying novel treatment pathways. Recent work has shown that gut bacteria may play an important role in determining the function of astrocytes in the brain, however it is unknown how gut bacteria contribute to the types of astrocytes that respond to stroke injury. Using a rodent model of stroke injury, the aim of our project is to identify how the gut bacteria modify the types of astrocytes that respond to stroke. This project will be the first to study the relationship between gut bacteria and astrocyte function following stroke. Our hope is that a better understanding of this relationship can be leveraged to improve functional outcomes following injury.