Grant: Project Grant

Stroke is a major cause of death and long-term disability. After a stroke, restoring blood flow to the brain is critical-but even when large vessels are successfully reopened, tiny blood vessels called capillaries may remain blocked. These small-scale blockages can limit recovery and worsen brain damage, but they are extremely difficult to detect with current imaging methods. Our research team is developing a new ultrasound-based technique to non-invasively track blood flow through individual capillaries deep in the brain. This method, called Ultrasound Localization Microscopy of Single-Capillary Reporter Dynamics, uses safe, microscopic gas bubbles and advanced image analysis to map how blood moves through the brain's smallest vessels. It can detect whether blood is flowing normally or if it is stalled in specific areas-offering new insight into how stroke disrupts circulation at the microscopic level. We will apply this approach in animal models of stroke to better understand how capillary dysfunction evolves during injury and recovery. By monitoring these changes in real time, we aim to identify new markers of stroke severity and treatment response. Because the technique is based on ultrasound, it is safe, portable, and potentially scalable to human patients. This could pave the way for new tools that help clinicians assess brain health at the microvascular level and tailor therapies to individual patients-ultimately improving outcomes and reducing the long-term impact of stroke.