Research

de Havenon is the principal investigator of the Blood Pressure Variability and Ischemic Stroke Outcome (BP-VISO) study, a multicenter observational trial investigating how blood pressure variability (BPV) influences functional and cognitive outcomes after ischemic stroke. Using the Finapres NOVA continuous hemodynamic monitoring system to measure short-term BPV during the critical days following an ischemic stroke, cognitive assessments, pupillometry and portable MRI neuroimaging technology, we seek to assess the mechanisms underlying BPV’s harmful effects and identify targets for intervention to optimize hemodynamic management, with implications to minimize the risk of stroke-related death and disability for millions of patients worldwide.

The study also equips stroke survivors with Withings home monitoring devices after discharge, including a blood pressure cuff, sleep mat, and activity watch. When combined with clinical data, this year-long monitoring initiative will be crucial in helping us understand how lifestyle factors such as sleep and physical activity relate to brain health and cognitive aging.

The BP-VISO study also enrolls participants at Massachusetts General Hospital and UChicago Medicine.

de Havenon is the principal investigator of MR-SCREEN, a cross-sectional project leveraging both conventional (3T) and low-field portable MRI to develop and validate a portable MRI-specific grading scale to qualitatively measure white matter hyperintensity (WMH) in the brain. WMH is a key marker of neurovascular damage and a significant risk factor for vascular dementia, the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. This innovative approach has the potential to mitigate vascular disparities by expanding access to neuroimaging, particularly in underserved populations where it can increase diagnostic and monitoring capabilities. This approach also holds promise for monitoring amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) in Alzheimer’s patients undergoing anti-amyloid therapy, allowing more individuals to access treatment.

de Havenon is the principal investigator of CAPTIVA-MRI, an observational multimodal MRI study ancillary to the StrokeNet CAPTIVA trial, which aims to establish MRI biomarkers that can identify intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) patients who fail best medical management after an ischemic stroke. ICAS, or narrowing of the brain arteries, is one of the most common causes of stroke worldwide with the highest rate of stroke recurrence (>15% of patients in the first year). By visualizing these plaques via MRI and understanding how they disrupt blood flow, CAPTIVA-MRI aims to identify precision medicine treatment approaches for ICAS patients that are more successful than percentage stenosis alone for risk stratification.