A multi million dollar boost for stroke research

The Stroke Foundation has welcomed the announcement of $5 million in Heart Foundation grants for two ground-breaking research projects into stroke prevention. 

Professor Michael Good and Professor Sophia Zoungas will benefit from the funding. Each is leading new research aimed at making a global contribution to the prevention and treatment of stroke. 

Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan congratulated the pair and said it was encouraging to see such a significant investment in projects with the potential to reduce the number of people suffering strokes in the future. 

“Too many Australians are having their lives devastated by stroke and sadly the incidence is increasing as our population ages and our lifestyle changes,” Ms McGowan said. 

“Today, there are 56,000 strokes annually – that is one stroke every nine minutes, by 2050 it is expected this number will increase to 132,000 strokes annually – that is one stroke every four minutes. 

“One of our greatest challenges is to prevent stroke from occurring in the first place. This is where evidence-based research projects like these are so vital.

“Innovation and breakthroughs are only possible through research. This takes time and significant investment, but the rewards, when they come, benefit generations,’” she said. 

Research projects:
Professor Michael Good, Griffith University, Queensland
Develop a vaccine to prevent Streptococcal A infection which can result in rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and result in RHD-related stroke. 
This research could lead to a simple childhood vaccine to dramatically reduce RHD related stroke.

Professor Sophia Zoungas, Monash University, Melbourne
Investigate the effectiveness of statins in older stroke patients and identify key stroke predictors and neurovascular changes in the brain structure in older age. 

Heart Foundation media release here