September 2024 – The European Research Council awarded an ERC Starting Grant to Anna-Sophia Wahl for studying fundamental principles of neuronal repair after stroke. With her team Anna-Sophia will examine how individual neurons in the active brain react to microstrokes and how the survival and rewiring of neurons can be enhanced to prevent cognitive decline after stroke. >>

August 2024 –  Using a novel experimental model, ISD researchers showed that stroke activates the AIM2 inflammasome in atherosclerotic plaques via increased circulating cell-free DNA, causing inflammation, plaque destabilization, and recurrent stroke. Neutrophil NETosis was identified as the main source of cell-free DNA. Neutralizing cell-free DNA or inhibiting inflammasome activation reduced stroke recurrence, offering new perspectives for the prevention of early recurrent events >>

August 2024 – ISD is co-organizing the 9th Interational Conference on Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy located at the Kardinal Wendel Haus next to the English Garden in Munich. Experts in the field will present the latest developments in CAA research ranging from basic research to studies in humans. Sign up >>

July 2024 – ISD researchers hypothesized in a newly published study that the high rate of comorbidities that develop after a stroke could have a common immunological cause. A Myeloid innate immune memory was identified as causing remote organ dysfunction post-stroke. Single-cell sequencing revealed persistent pro-inflammatory changes in monocytes/macrophages up to 3 months after brain injury, especially in the heart, causing cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction. Neutralizing IL-1β or blocking monocyte trafficking prevented post-stroke cardiac dysfunction, suggesting immune-targeted therapies for secondary prevention. >>