The Adverse Effects of Diabetes on Stroke: An Echoplanar MRI Study [ 2001 - 2002 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Stephen Davis (Principal investigator) ,  Brian Chambers ,  Brian Tress ,  Prof Patricia Desmond ,  Prof Peter Barber
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Brief description Stroke is the most common, major brain disease in Australia. It is the third most common cause of death and the most common cause of adult disability. There is a close link between diabetes and stroke. Firstly, diabetes is an important risk factor for the development of stroke. Secondly, about one third of stroke patients have diabetes. In general, their outcome is much worse than other patients. In fact little is known about the cause of this adverse effect in stroke patients and there is uncertainty whether intensive control of blood sugar in acute stroke improves outcome. Our pilot work suggests that raised brain lactate, together with larger stroke size, might together be responsible for the worse outcome in diabetic patients. We can now measure brain lactate and stroke size with new MRI techniques called echoplanar MRI, which can allow measurements of brain chemistry, blood flow, potentially viable and dead tissue. A new monitoring device allows non-invasive measurement of blood sugar every 5 minutes. Using these strategies, we are planning a comprehensive study of the causes of the worse stroke outcome with diabetes. In addition, we are incorporating a study to determine whether intensive control of blood sugar in the first 3 days after stroke, compared with standard treatment, reduces brain lactate and growth of the actual stroke. An understanding of these effects will have important implications for the acute treatment of stroke patients. If we can show that rigorous control of blood sugar reduces brain lactate and stroke growth, our study will lay the ground work for a large clinical trial. This could have important implications, both in Australia, and overseas.

Funding Amount $AUD 278,417.99

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant