The START collaboration cluster aims to identify ‘at risk’ patients through novel imaging approaches. (iStock)

Cohort study of stroke

Substantially reducing the millions of cases of stroke recorded worldwide every year is the focus of this collaborative CSIRO research cluster.

• 1 April 2011 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Partners
• The cohort study 

The Flagship Collaboration Fund has enabled the establishment of the START (STroke, imAging, pRevention and Treatment) cohort study of stroke.

The A$13 million study aims to integrate imaging and biomarker analysis to identify patients at risk of stroke or recurrent stroke, and use these strategies to develop new preventative strategies for these patients.

Partners

The Flagship Collaboration Fund is contributing to the START cohort study which involves CSIRO, through the Preventative Health National Research Flagship, working with:

• The Florey Neuroscience Institutes
• The University of Melbourne
• The Royal Melbourne Hospital as part of Melbourne Health and Neurosciences Victoria.

The cohort study

After heart disease and cancer, stroke is the most common cause of death in Australia, and although the symptoms of a stroke may occur suddenly, the underlying conditions for it are usually present for years before a stroke occurs.

The START cohort study will integrate imaging and biomarker analysis to identify patients at risk of stroke, and use these strategies in new preventative measures for these patients.

By studying 200 Australian acute ischaemic stroke victims (caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain), the cohort's activities will be centred on collecting information derived from brain imaging and blood samples with the aim of discovering and validating new diagnostic biomarkers to identify patients at risk of recurrent stroke and post stroke depression.

CSIRO will collect, process and store blood samples from participants taking part in the EXTEND clinical trial – a trial which aims to validate extending the three hour approved time frame for administering the clot-busting protein tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to nine hours after stroke.

This resource – together with the matched clinical and lifestyle data being collected under the EXTEND clinical trial – will enable researchers to conduct biomedical research including discovery and validation of biomarkers for stroke which will greatly advance research into preventing or delaying the onset of this debilitating medical condition. It is hoped that these biomarkers will eventually enable researchers to identify diet and lifestyle interventions.

Advanced imaging techniques will also be used by the cohort to improve the understanding of the vasculature and blood flow changes that take place in the brain during stroke.

This study complements CSIRO Preventative Health Flagship’s research programs in discovery and validation of diagnostic biomarkers for other chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Read more about Preventative Health Flagship.