Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Brigham & Women's Hospital Inc. received a $745,570 Project Grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) under the Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders program (CFDA 93.853), effective June 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031. The award supports research investigating the genetic and neurovascular mechanisms underlying migraine susceptibility and its association with elevated ischemic stroke risk. The research employs genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis and experimental approaches to identify causal pathways related to 123 migraine susceptibility loci identified in recent international research, with particular focus on vascular biology and neurological functions. Specific aims include conducting a novel GWAS of ischemic stroke among individuals with migraine using existing large cohorts and biobanks to identify key genetic risk loci and therapeutic targets.

This research addresses significant clinical gaps in migraine pathophysiology, as current therapeutic interventions targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathways remain ineffective or contraindicated for many patients. The investigation seeks to advance understanding of why migraine sufferers—particularly those experiencing migraine with aura—face approximately 1.5-fold elevated ischemic stroke risk, potentially identifying new therapeutic targets and mechanisms involving intrinsic vascular properties or microembolism. The work is conducted at Brigham & Women's Hospital's Boston, Massachusetts facility, a premier academic medical center and National Institutes of Health-funded research institution.