News

Recent large-scale, longitudinal studies have reinforced the established understanding that hypertension is a critical antecedent to cerebrovascular events, including stroke. Contrary to the misconception that strokes can occur unpredictably in otherwise healthy individuals, observational data from vast populations indicate that almost all individuals who experience a stroke exhibit underlying cardiovascular risk factors, most notably elevated blood pressure, for years preceding the event. This extensive body of research, including cohorts followed for up to two decades, underscores the importance of long-term preventative strategies over reactive responses to acute crises.

The mechanisms linking chronic hypertension to stroke pathogenesis are well-documented. Persistent high blood pressure exerts mechanical stress on the arterial walls throughout the body, including those supplying the brain. Over time, this contributes to the stiffening and narrowing of arteries, a process known as atherosclerosis. These changes facilitate the build-up of fatty plaques, which can rupture and cause clots, leading to an ischemic stroke. In smaller vessels, chronic hypertension can lead to microvascular damage, increasing the risk of haemorrhagic stroke. The cumulative effect of these pathological processes highlights that stroke is often the culmination of a long-term, progressive vascular disease rather than an isolated, sudden episode.

This profound insight has significant implications for both clinical practice and public health policy. Traditional clinical approaches have often focused on short-term management and the immediate post-event phase. However, the data now clearly argue for a more sustained, proactive approach to hypertension management across the lifespan. Population-level screening and health monitoring programs are vital for identifying individuals with non-optimal blood pressure years before a potential stroke.

By leveraging routine health data, healthcare providers can intervene earlier with lifestyle modifications and pharmacological therapies to manage blood pressure effectively. Evidence from landmark clinical trials, such as the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), has demonstrated that intensive blood pressure control (targeting a systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg) can significantly reduce the risk of stroke and other major cardiovascular events in high-risk populations.

The message is clear: stroke prevention is a marathon, not a sprint. The groundwork for a stroke is often laid years in advance, with hypertension as a persistent and identifiable warning sign. Shifting the focus toward long-term risk factor management, guided by routine monitoring and evidence-based interventions, offers a powerful strategy to reduce the incidence and burden of stroke in the UK.

This requires a concerted effort from clinicians, public health officials, and individuals to recognise and address the silent threat of hypertension long before it manifests as a debilitating cerebrovascular event.

A team from the University of Zurich and the University of Southern California has just successfully demonstrated (in mice) that stem cell transplantation can reverse stroke damage, paving the way for a future where brain repair is no longer the stuff of science fiction. This pioneering work offers a powerful glimmer of hope for the millions of survivors who live with persistent limitations after stroke.

For years the medical community has held that brain damage caused by stroke is largely irreversible. The internal bleeding or lack of oxygen that occurs during a stroke kills brain cells, leading to lasting effects like paralysis, speech impairment and other neurological deficits. Current treatments are focused on damage limitation in the immediate aftermath of a stroke, and no therapies exist to fully repair the damage that has been done. This groundbreaking study fundamentally challenges that paradigm.

In the study, which was published in Nature Communications, researchers transplanted human neural stem cells into the brains of mice that had experienced a stroke. These stem cells, which have the remarkable ability to develop into various cell types of the nervous system, were successfully integrated into the damaged brain tissue. Over a five-week period the team observed extraordinary results. The grafted cells not only survived and matured into functioning neurons but also stimulated the growth of new blood vessels, reduced inflammation and strengthened the blood-brain barrier.

The most striking outcome however, was the functional recovery observed in the mice. Using an AI-assisted gait analysis to meticulously track the animals’ movements, the researchers confirmed that the treated mice regained motor abilities that were previously lost. This was particularly evident in tasks that required fine motor skills, demonstrating that the stem cell therapy had a tangible, real-world effect on recovery.

This research, while conducted only in a mouse model, holds profound implications for human stroke treatment. The investigators were able to confirm that the therapy was most effective when administered one week after a stroke… a timeline that would be practical for clinical use in humans. While further work is needed to ensure safety, including a mechanism to prevent uncontrolled cell growth, this breakthrough probably represents a leap forward in regenerative medicine. As ongoing clinical trials explore similar stem cell applications for other neurological diseases like Parkinson’s, the possibility of a human stroke trial draws ever closer. This leading-edge research from the University of Zurich offers genuine hope that one day the devastating effects of a stroke could be reversed, ushering in a new era of brain repair and recovery.

A recent £1.9 million investment by the Scottish Government is set to enhance stroke aftercare through the deployment of mobile heart-rate monitoring technology. This initiative, delivered via the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) pathway, aims to provide advanced diagnostic tools to approximately 8,000 stroke patients annually. The goal is to improve the detection of cardiac rhythm irregularities, particularly atrial fibrillation (AF), which is a significant risk factor for secondary stroke events.

The new technology involves ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) patch monitors. These compact, wireless and water-resistant patches are worn on the chest for up to 14 days and are designed to replace older, more cumbersome heart monitoring systems.

Clinical studies have indicated these patches are significantly more effective at detecting AF than previous methods, potentially reducing diagnosis and treatment times from several months to a few weeks. By facilitating a faster diagnosis of AF, clinicians can initiate preventative treatments more promptly, thereby reducing the patient’s risk of a recurrent stroke.

The projected outcomes of this investment are substantial. Over the next five years, it is estimated that the widespread use of these monitors could prevent nearly 700 secondary strokes and save more than 300 lives across Scotland. Beyond the clinical benefits, the initiative offers several operational and patient-focused advantages. By enabling at-home monitoring, it reduces the need for multiple hospital visits, improving patient convenience and reducing travel-related burdens.

The adoption of this technology is also expected to increase the efficiency of NHS Scotland by freeing up clinical capacity, including the equivalent of 15.7 full-time cardiac physiologists. Furthermore, the projected cost-savings for the NHS over the five-year period are estimated to be £14.6 million.

Overall, this investment represents a strategic application of innovative technology to improve patient care pathways for stroke survivors. It focuses on early and accurate detection to mitigate the risk of secondary events while simultaneously improving patient experience and operational efficiency within the healthcare system.

A new device called Neubond, a wearable technology for stroke rehab from a spin-off company formed at Imperial College is now in research & testing phase. Neubond is a closed-loop system built on a technology called Volition-Induced Paired Associative Stimulation (VIPAS). PAS differs from FES as FES is an open-loop system.

The lightweight, comfortable bracelet is equipped with tiny sensors that can detect the very subtle electrical signals your brain sends when you try to move your affected limb, even if you can’t see or feel the movement yet. At the precise moment your brain is sending that command, Neubond delivers a gentle electrical stimulation to the corresponding muscle. This reinforces the neural pathway and helps your brain re-learn. By repeatedly pairing your intention to move with the actual movement, the device essentially helps to rewire your brain, promoting plasticity and strengthening that vital brain-to-muscle connection over time.

Neubond is a discreet, comfortable wearable, therapy can happen anytime, anywhere. The user is no longer limited to short clinical sessions… this continuous, everyday practice is key to maximising ones recovery potential.

Linked to a mobile app, Neubond tracks your muscle activity and provides data-driven insights for both you and your clinicians. This makes progress visible and motivating, turning small gains into big milestones. Users in trials have reported regaining the ability to do small but incredibly significant things, like handwriting or even cuddling a grandchild. These personal victories ignite hope and show that meaningful recovery is possible.

Neubond is an exciting step forward in making neurorehab more accessible, effective, and human. The wearable is still in the testing and development phase and is not currently available for stroke survivors to purchase but as of recent reports, Neubond is working to turn its prototype into a production-ready device and conducting clinical testing to prepare for randomised clinical trials. The company plans to first release a version of the device that monitors movement intention and guides rehabilitation by providing visual feedback to the user. This version will require a less demanding regulatory process than the full therapeutic device.

Their website holds a waiting list for early access to pilot and beta testing, which you can join if you are interested in potentially participating in future trials.

The new 70-bed National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) has been built near Loughborough (it’s in its ‘inside-fittings’ stage now) and is set to begin accepting its first patients in 2026.

It’s an NHS facility run by Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, which will offer a significantly more intensive model of care to patients in the East Midlands than is typically available; it’s going to be staffed and run by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the idea is that it will serve as a template for other sites. While the standard NHS offering might be around 30 to 40 minutes of therapy a day, the NRC will provide up to three to four hours of rehabilitation daily.

The NRC will share facilities with the adjacent Stanford Hall Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC). This includes a Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN), a high-tech virtual reality system to help patients relearn movement and a state-of-the-art gait lab.

The NRC is part of the government’s New Hospital Programme and is being built by the joint venture Integrated Health Partners (IHP), which includes VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, and will be run by the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. While taxpayer funds support the NRC through the government’s New Hospital Programme to the tune of £105 million, the construction is handled by the private sector and the centre collaborates with the University of Nottingham and Loughborough University for research, training, and education alongside clinical care.

Another aspect of the NRC will be its seamless integration of clinical care, research, innovation, and training. By partnering with leading academic institutions like Loughborough and Nottingham universities, the centre aims to accelerate the translation of new research into frontline patient care. For stroke survivors, this means they could be among the first to benefit from the latest innovations in rehabilitation therapy.

For decades, scientists viewed fibroblasts as little more than the structural scaffolding of the body. These cells, the most common in connective tissue, were thought to simply provide support. However, recent academic research is fundamentally changing this view, revealing that fibroblasts possess a hidden power to actively heal the brain after a stroke. These dynamic cells are now emerging as key players in the brain’s natural repair process, offering a beacon of hope for developing new therapies that could one day significantly improve outcomes for stroke survivors.

After a stroke, the brain’s delicate environment is compromised. This is especially true of the blood-brain barrier; a protective sheath that prevents harmful substances from entering the brain. In the event of a stroke, this barrier can become ‘leaky’, and fibroblasts rush to the scene to serve as the brain’s ‘plumbers’. This is where their true nature shines through. Instead of being passive support cells, fibroblasts spring into action, traveling from larger vessels to the damaged capillaries to patch up the breach in the blood brain barrier. A recent study found that these fibroblasts secrete a protein called TIMP2, a critical tool for repairing the damage and restoring the barrier’s integrity… and that by shoring up the blood brain barrier, fibroblasts help mitigate further damage and create a more stable environment for healing.

The fibroblast’s healing role doesn’t stop at mending the barrier. These cells create protective scars that stabilise the damaged tissue. This fibrotic scar tissue was once thought to be purely inhibitory to recovery, but studies show it serves a dual purpose. Early on, the scar is essential for providing structural integrity and containing inflammation. However, fibroblasts are also key to orchestrating a delicate balancing act; after the initial wound is contained, they transition to new roles, moderating the inflammatory response to ensure it doesn’t cause more harm.

In a fascinating sequence of events, some fibroblasts recruit immune cells needed for repair, while others regulate inflammation. Some even return to their original locations in the protective membranes surrounding the brain. This orchestrated and timed response suggests a sophistication previously not associated with these cells.

While much of this research is still in its early stages and based on animal models, it opens up exciting new avenues for treatment. Understanding the distinct stages of fibroblast activity, from early wound-healing to late-stage immune modulation, could guide the timing of new interventions. For example, therapies that enhance the early, beneficial scarring might be used immediately following a stroke, while those that modulate the later immune response could be used in the chronic phase.

Researchers are also exploring whether drugs already used for other fibrotic conditions, such as lung and liver fibrosis, could be adapted for brain injuries. In the long term, scientists are even exploring the possibility of directly injecting beneficial proteins like TIMP2 into the injured brain, bypassing the need for the body’s own fibroblasts to deliver them. This new understanding of fibroblasts is more than just a biological curiosity; it offers a compelling vision for the future of stroke treatment…

Arm and hand weakness is a debilitating and common consequence for a large number of stroke survivors and ARNI recognises that conventional rehab often struggles to provide the necessary intensity and engagement required to maximise the brain’s neuroplasticity.

To address this problem, a team of researchers at Queen’s University Belfast’s School of Psychology, led by neuroscientist Dr. Kathy Ruddy, is conducting a new clinical trial that combines Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology with computer gaming to stimulate arm movement and function. This one-year project, funded by Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke (NICHS), represents a novel and potentially game-changing approach to stroke recovery.

The Queen’s University trial centres on the concept of motor imagery; research has shown that merely thinking about a movement activates the same neural pathways in the motor cortex as physically performing the action.

In the QUB trial, participants wear a simple, non-invasive BCI headset that reads their brain activity. As the stroke survivor imagines moving their affected arm, the headset detects the corresponding brain signals and these signals are then translated to control a computer game, creating a powerful biofeedback loop. This technique serves to reinforce neural pathways by repeatedly activating the motor cortex through imagined movement, allowing people with significant motor impairment to still ‘practice’ moving their arm… thereby strengthening spared neural connections/preventing from becoming dormant due to lack of use.

The trial aims to recruit 50 stroke survivors from Northern Ireland to test the efficacy of this BCI-gaming system; please contact the Queen’s University research team directly if this is of interest to you. The QUB website has a news page with contact information for the School of Psychology and research staff.

New research just presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress reveals a worrying link between air pollution and an increased risk of stroke for millions of us in the country.

A decade-long study of nearly 300,000 people found that those living in the most polluted areas of the UK were 7% more likely to suffer a stroke compared to those in areas with cleaner air. The same study also found an increased risk of heart failure. The team assessed the air pollution exposure of more than 318,000 people living in the UK. This was based on air pollution monitoring carried out by separate researchers between January 2010 and 2011 within 100 square metres of the participants’ homes.

The participants, aged 40 to 69 at the start of the research, were taking part in the UK Biobank study. They had no history of a stroke or mini-stroke, defined as a temporary disruption to the brain’s blood supply, ischemic heart disease – cardiovascular complications caused by narrowing of the heart’s arteries, or cancer. This is a stark reminder that the air we breathe has a profound effect on our health, particularly our cardiovascular system. The fine particulate matter PM2.5 (which measures less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter,) comes from vehicle exhaust and other sources.  It can enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation and blood vessel damage, increasing the risk of cardiovascular events.

Over an average 12-year follow-up period, 5967 of the participants had a stroke, 2985 developed cardiovascular disease and 1020 people died due to any cause. After accounting for other factors that can influence stroke risk, such as physical fitness levels, the researchers found that every 5 microgram per cubic metre (µg/m3) increase in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that the participants were exposed to across a year was linked to a 24 per cent rise in their risk of a stroke.

The British Heart Foundation and other organisations are calling for stricter air quality targets; let’s work together for cleaner air and reduction in strokes!

For stroke survivors worldwide, persistent upper limb impairment is a significant and often devastating consequence. While intensive, repetitive therapy is crucial for activating neuroplasticity and improving motor function, access to high-intensity, round-the-clock rehab is often unfeasible in traditional clinical settings. We know that this gap between formal therapy and the need for continual muscle engagement can lead to suboptimal recovery, particularly for those with moderate-to-severe impairment.

Addressing this challenge, KnitRegen, a UK-based MedTech startup, is developing a novel wearable smart textile system designed to facilitate constant, functional rehabilitation. Founded as a spin-out from the Royal College of Art, KnitRegen leverages a unique combination of technical textile design, neuroscience, and material science. In collab with researchers and organisations like the University of Central Lancashire and the Centre for Process Innovation, the company has developed a prototype wristband device, dubbed the ‘PowerBead’. This device delivers targeted muscle stimulation through integrated smart textile components, moving the technology from a bulky, backpack-sized system to a discreet, user-friendly wearable. The innovation is based on evidence that delivering specific, timed muscle stimulation can improve strength and mobility, especially when paired with an auditory cue.

The KnitRegen system aims to provide continual muscle stimulation outside of supervised therapy sessions, a critical factor for driving neuroplasticity. The mechanism is thought to involve stimulating the recruitment of the reticulospinal tract (RST), offering a potential pathway for recovery for survivors with severe damage to the corticospinal tract (CST). By enabling consistent muscle stimulation, the device increases the total amount of therapeutic engagement, which is linked to improved recovery outcomes, particularly for survivors with moderate-to-severe upper limb impairments (a patient group that often has limited treatment options).

The embedded smart textile components provide state-of-the-art muscle stimulation, specifically activating muscles in the hand and arms to restore movement and strength. Developed in co-design with stroke survivors, the wristband is designed for comfort and ease of use, addressing a common usability challenge with existing functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems. It’s also designed to be discreet, resembling a normal accessory rather than an obvious medical device.

Initial studies involving 16 stroke survivors have shown that the PowerBead can effectively activate hand and arm muscles. Further pilot studies on healthy volunteers have been conducted to optimise the wearable’s comfort and effectiveness. The company plans to conduct longer-term trials to measure the device’s effect on strength and movement over time and is working towards gaining regulatory approval. KnitRegen’s data collection could also contribute valuable information on continual rehabilitation methods for other Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the future.

The KnitRegen smart textile system represents a significant step forward in making intensive, evidence-based rehab accessible for stroke survivors at home but like the VTS Glove below, it’s not on the market yet. The PowerBead is still undergoing further development and clinical testing, but it seems to offer a potential breakthrough for millions of stroke survivors worldwide who are seeking to regain movement and independence…

For many stroke survivors, regaining hand and arm function after experiencing post-stroke spasticity can be an incredibly difficult and frustrating journey. Traditional treatments like Botox injections or oral medications can offer temporary relief, but often come with side effects and inconvenience. But what if a new, non-invasive wearable technology could offer relief and promote lasting recovery?

Meet the VTS Glove. This wireless, glove-like device uses high-frequency vibrations to provide targeted therapeutic tactile stimulation to the hand and fingers. It is designed for daily, at-home use, allowing survivors to incorporate rehabilitation into their daily lives for approximately three hours a day.

A study recently published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation found that daily use of the VTS Glove led to significant reductions in spasticity (involuntary muscle stiffness) and hypertonia (excessive muscle tone) in the hands of chronic stroke survivors. In the study, over half of the participants who regularly used Botox injections for spasticity found the VTS Glove to be as effective or even more effective in reducing their symptoms. The study found that positive changes persisted even one month after participants stopped wearing the glove, suggesting a potential for long-term retraining effects. Some participants also experienced improved voluntary finger extension and restored tactile sensation.

By reducing spasticity, the device can empower survivors to regain greater control and use of their affected hand. A patient at the University of Southampton, who was unable to move his hand for eight years after his stroke, was able to move it again with the help of a similar device, calling the experience ‘breathtaking.’ Since it can be used at home, the glove offers a more accessible and less disruptive therapy option compared to frequent clinic visits for injections or other treatments. Some participants in clinical trials reported voluntarily reducing or stopping their oral muscle relaxants or Botox injections, relying instead on the VTS Glove for symptom relief.

While the current research is very promising, more studies are planned to further explore the long-term effectiveness and optimal design of the device. For now, it represents a hopeful new frontier for stroke survivors and their caregivers.