The UAB Department of Neurology has successfully renewed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) StrokeNet award, securing its participation in the national StrokeNet clinical trials network until the end of 2028.
This study is led by principal investigator/program director Toby Gropen, M.D., FAHA, James H. Halsey Jr., M.D. Endowed Professor. Collaborating with Gropen are co-principal investigators Ronald Lazar, Ph.D., FAHA, FAAN, and Mark Harrigan, M.D.
As an NIH StrokeNet Regional Coordinating Center, UAB has developed a clinical trials network (“the StrokeBelt StrokeNet” (SBSN)) in the heart of the U.S. “stroke belt”, an 8-state southeastern region consisting of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The SBSN specifically targets high stroke mortality rates within Mississippi and Alabama by supporting the advancement and implementation of high-quality, multi-site clinical trials focused on interventions in stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Additionally, SBSN aims to educate upcoming stroke investigators and researchers in the realms of stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery.
This research project not only underscores the department's commitment to addressing stroke disparities but also reflects a multifaceted approach involving clinical trials, community outreach, and professional training.
“Our success would not be possible without the extraordinary collaboration with Dr. Lazar and Harrigan and the enthusiasm and hard work of investigators and coordinators at UAB and our partner institutions, including the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Children’s of Alabama, and our newest partner institution, the Birmingham VA Medical Center,” Gropen said.
Gropen outlines the team’s research goals, focusing on three key areas designed to make a significant impact in stroke treatment, prevention, and recovery.
Research Goals
1. Provide an efficient, effective, and adaptable platform for investigators to conduct phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials in the core areas of stroke treatment, recovery, and prevention.
The project will continue to support the development, implementation, and quality control for protocols utilizing human subjects, as well as handling data management and analysis. A performance improvement approach to maximize clinical trial screening, enrollment, and retention will be applied.
2. Advance the stroke system of care and science of stroke treatment in a minority population of at-risk patients in the heart of the underserved Stroke Belt region of the United States.
This research will continue to enhance regional access to stroke clinical stroke trials for minority patients in Alabama and Mississippi by collaborating with the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center, UAB's Central Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and UAB’s Community and Academic Internal Advisory Committee. This will increase minority community knowledge about clinical studies available for patients and access to stroke clinical trials for minority patients throughout the region.
3. Train the next generation of academic stroke neurologists, cerebrovascular neurosurgeons, and research study coordinators throughout our network.
We will train the next generation of stroke clinical scientists and research study coordinators across our network. The training will be enhanced through programs developed in collaboration with the UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Science, UAB School of Public Health, and the StrokeNet National Coordinating Center.