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Stroke Research

Although childhood stroke is rare, more than half of children who suffer a stroke will develop lifelong cognitive or motor disability and up to one-third will have another stroke. Causes of childhood stroke are drastically different than the causes of stroke in adults, yet current recommendations for stroke in children are often based on adult stroke studies.  

Investigators at Nationwide Children work to characterize the social and cognitive impairments that result from stroke in children and document patients’ full recovery following a stroke.  

Faculty Focused on Headache Research

Warren D. Lo, MD

Latest Research Findings

CD73 is Critical in Controlling Brain Inflammation and Immune Function

These data show a cardinal role for CD73 in suppressing ischemic tissue leukosequestration. This underscores a critical role for CD73 as a modulator of brain inflammation and immune function.

Access an abstract of this study: Tissue-Resident Ecto-5' Nucleotidase (CD73) Regulates Leukocyte Trafficking in the Ischemic Brain. J Immunol. 2012 Jan 30. [Epub ahead of print]

Using a Pediatric Stroke Scale to Improve the Quality of Retrospective Pediatric Stroke Studies

The Pediatric National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS) is a quantitative measure of stroke severity.  This study aimed to assess the concurrent validity and reliability of estimating the PedNIHSS score retrospectively from medical records.  Findings suggest that this tool can be used to improve the quality of retrospective pediatric stroke studies.

Access an abstract of this study: Concurrent Validity and Reliability of Retrospective Scoring of the Pediatric National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Stroke. 2011 Nov 10. [Epub ahead of print]

Childhood Hemorrhagic Stroke: An Important but Understudied Problem
There are important differences in the factors associated with hemorrhagic stroke in children when compared with adults. In this review, the author describes the estimated frequency, clinical presentation, acute management of hemorrhagic stroke and an overview of rehabilitation techniques.

Access an abstract of this study: Childhood hemorrhagic stroke: an important but understudied problem. J Child Neurol. 2011 Sep;26(9):1174-85.

Current Grants

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Children with Stroke, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Warren Lo)

Sturge-Weber Syndrome Registry, National Institutes of Health (Warren Lo)

Vascular Effects of Infection in Pediatric Stroke, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (Warren Lo)

Ongoing Study

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Children with Stroke
This is a pilot study of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to test tolerance and efficacy in children who have hemiparesis from acquired or presumed perinatal stroke. We will begin to test the hypothesis that rTMS will be tolerated and will result in improved hand strength and mobility when compared with sham stimulation. (Warren Lo)