Brain Stroke Across the Lifespan: Mechanisms, Models, Translational Advances and Impacts Beyond the Brain
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026 | Viewed by 1050
Special Issue Editor
2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
3. Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
Interests: behavioral and neuropsychological testing; circuits and cellular neuroscience; cognitive and brain development; cognitive; affective and behavioral neuroscience; electrophysiology and optical imaging; focal lesions (stroke and tumors); neuro-stimulation; neuroscience methods; preclinical (animals) models; translational and clinical neuroscience
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Brain stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, resulting from a sudden disruption in the cerebral blood flow that leads to focal neurological deficits. It is primarily classified into two major subtypes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke, which accounts for approximately 85% of all cases, is caused by an occlusion of a cerebral blood vessel due to thrombosis or embolism. Hemorrhagic stroke, although less common, is typically more severe and arises from the rupture of a blood vessel, leading to bleeding within the brain parenchyma or the subarachnoid space. In addition, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), often referred to as “mini-strokes”, involve temporary cerebral hypoperfusion without permanent infarction, yet are clinically significant as predictors of future stroke risk.
Stroke affects individuals across all stages of life, including neonates, children, and adults, with distinct etiologies, pathophysiology, and clinical outcomes associated with each age group. Perinatal and pediatric strokes are frequently underdiagnosed and understudied, often leading to delayed intervention and a lack of age-specific, evidence-based treatment guidelines. In adults, the advent of intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy has markedly improved outcomes in eligible patients. However, these interventions remain limited by strict time windows and accessibility, leaving many without effective acute treatment options.
While acute management has progressed, substantial gaps remain in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying long-term recovery, neuroprotection, and neurorestoration. Moreover, beyond focal brain injury, stroke induces widespread systemic effects, including the dysregulation of cardiovascular function, immune responses, and metabolic pathways. Both systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation are known to play critical roles in the progression of injury and the modulation of repair, yet their dynamics across different stroke subtypes and populations remain inadequately characterized. Furthermore, emerging research highlights the significance of the gut–brain axis in influencing post-stroke recovery and neuroinflammatory responses.
This research topic welcomes contributions that explore the impact of stroke on both the brain and peripheral systems. We encourage submissions focused on mechanistic studies, translational models, and clinical research that advance our understanding of stroke as a complex, multisystem condition. A deeper exploration of the interplay between cerebral injury, systemic physiology, and recovery processes is essential for the development of novel, effective therapeutic strategies across all age groups and stroke types.
For this Special Issue, we welcome original research articles and reviews relating to this field.
Dr. Gabriele Deidda
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- stroke
- brain
- cerebral injury
- post-stroke recovery
- systemic physiology
- models
- therapeutic strategies
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