New groundbreaking research indicates that specific genes may impact the recovery journey of stroke survivors, offering valuable insights for doctors to develop targeted therapies.
A recent study conducted by UCLA Health has identified certain genes that could influence the recovery path of stroke survivors, providing healthcare professionals with crucial information for creating personalized treatment strategies.
Recently published in the journal Stroke, this research was conducted as an exploratory study to investigate if particular genes could serve as predictors for stroke outcomes related to depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and cognitive decline.
Dr. Steven C. Cramer, MD, the lead author of the study and a neurology professor at UCLA, highlighted that while there are some factors that can help predict stroke recovery, such as age and overall health status, these factors only offer a partial understanding of the situation.
Cramer stated, “When someone experiences a stroke, it is challenging to foresee the future outcomes. Patients often seek answers about what to expect next and the available treatment options.”
He added that clinicians treating stroke patients require improved methods to predict patient outcomes accurately to develop personalized treatment plans for each individual.
Prior studies have suggested that genetic variances play a role in the stroke recovery process; however, there has been limited research on the specific outcomes associated with these genes. Previous genetic studies related to stroke mostly relied on the modified Rankin scale, which offers a general disability score encompassing various recovery aspects.
However, Cramer emphasized that this scoring system fails to consider the specific differences in stroke outcomes among patients, such as varying improvements in movement and mental health conditions. In collaboration with Dr. E. Alison Holman at UC Irvine, Cramer sought a more detailed method to evaluate behavioral outcomes in stroke survivors.
For this study, Cramer and his team analyzed candidate genes in over 700 patients from different parts of the U.S. Researchers also conducted comprehensive behavioral assessments focusing on cognitive health, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and other deficiencies over a year post-stroke.
The research revealed significant connections between certain genes and behavioral health outcomes. Notably, the rs6265 gene variant was linked to decreased cognition. This gene variant is associated with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a crucial growth factor in the brain essential for learning. Individuals with this genetic variant, which slows BDNF release, showed poorer cognitive status after a year.
“BDNF is essential for learning new things, and people with this gene variant displayed diminished cognitive function over time,” Cramer explained.
Furthermore, environmental factors like stress influenced genetic expression in stroke patients. Patients with gene variants rs4291 and rs324420 showed a higher risk of developing severe depression and PTSD symptoms a year post-stroke, particularly under high stress levels.
Another gene variant, rs4680, was associated with lower depression and PTSD symptoms.
Although these findings require further validation, Cramer suggested that these insights could assist healthcare providers in tailoring treatment options for patients based on a simple genetic test.
“If confirmed, these findings could help predict cognitive outcomes post-stroke and guide the development of individualized treatment approaches,” Cramer stated. “This knowledge could potentially lead to more effective and personalized treatments for stroke patients in the future.”
