Stroke Research Centre

The Perron Institute, in collaboration with The University of Western Australia (UWA), has established the Stroke Research Centre under the co-leadership of Professor Graeme Hankey and Professor Erin Godecke. This initiative builds on the Institute’s past successes and seeks to accelerate stroke research, treatment, programs, and clinical care. Funding from UWA, the Perron Institute, and valued philanthropists has enabled the recruitment of top neurologists and researchers to form a leading and comprehensive stroke research team.

Research Focus

An ambitious program of planned research will advance and build on the success already achieved at the Perron Institute. It is based on the Lancet Neurology-commissioned recommendations of the four pillars to tackle the burden of stroke:

1. Surveillance
2. Prevention
3. Acute care
4. Rehabilitation

Our current stroke research focus has expanded to include:

1. Genetic predictors of stroke and cardiovascular disease in the Western Australian population.
2. Development of imaging carotid arteries for stroke risk prevention.
3. Aneurysm re-rupture prediction using machine learning.
4. Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy studies.
5. Novel stroke prevention intervention RCT for evaluating digital innovations.
6. Leveraging mHealth to enhance stroke prevention through screening and lifestyle intervention.
7. Stroke prediction algorithm for first-ever and recurrent strokes

A key area of research at the Centre involves developing neuroprotective treatments to minimise brain damage after stroke. Professor Neville Knuckey and Adjunct Professor Bruno Meloni have discovered that peptides rich in arginine, particularly ARG-007, can protect the brain during stroke. This discovery has led to the formation of  Argenica Therapeutics, which was established in 2021 with the aim to expedite research development. Phase 1 trials for ARG-007 began in 2022, and a Phase 2 trial started in early 2024, marking a significant step toward developing new stroke therapies. In addition, the potential application of ARG-007 as a neuroprotective treatment for other neurological conditions such as neonatal asphyxia, traumatic brain injury and Parkinson’s disease is under investigation.

For partnership enquiries or events contact:

Susie Jackson
0417 848 829
susie.jackson@perron.uwa.edu.au

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