11.2022 - 02.2026

STROKEMARK

Within the STROKEMARK project, the Molecular & Genetics research line focuses on the evaluation of circulating inflammatory biomarkers using standardized ELISA tests. Serum samples are collected at baseline, on day 1, day 7, and day 90 after ischemic stroke and stored under controlled biobank conditions. The analysis focuses on neutrophil-related mediators (MMPs, MPO, NETs) and bone factors (osteopontin, sclerostin), previously associated with vascular damage and neurological outcomes. By quantifying these molecules and correlating their dynamic variations with clinical severity scores (NIHSS, mRS), neuroradiological findings, and functional recovery, the study aims to identify new prognostic signatures. This approach may offer mechanistic insights into the interaction between inflammation, aging genes, and stroke prognosis, while supporting the development of innovative biomarker panels for risk stratification and personalized therapeutic strategies.

The molecular characterization of inflammatory and bone biomarkers using ELISA has numerous potential applications. In clinical practice, these tests could be developed into diagnostic panels to stratify ischemic stroke patients according to their risk of poor functional recovery, hemorrhagic transformation, or post-stroke delirium. This information could guide individualized management, optimizing the use of reperfusion therapies and rehabilitation resources. At the translational level, the dynamic profile of biomarkers could reveal new therapeutic targets within inflammatory and aging circuits, paving the way for pharmacological interventions aimed at limiting brain damage and promoting recovery. Furthermore, the creation of a structured biobank of serum samples will enable replication studies and multicenter collaborations, facilitating the transfer of molecular discoveries into clinical algorithms. Ultimately, such applications could help reduce the burden of disability, improve prognosis, and make healthcare strategies for stroke patients more sustainable.

Settori Scientifico Disciplinari

MED/09  INTERNAL MEDICINE

Spoke 6 : Neurodegeneration, Trauma and Stroke