TriMethS – a novel urinary biomarker for minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack
Published: 12 January 2018
Research into a novel molecule identified as a potential biomarker of acute stroke has led to successful CSO funding for 3 years.
Research into a novel molecule identified as a potential biomarker of acute stroke has led to successful CSO funding for 3 years.
TriMethS is found more commonly and at elevated levels in the urine of patients with stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) compared to patients with suspected stroke who turn out to have an alternative diagnosis (called a “mimic”). About half of patients referred with suspected minor stroke or TIA have a mimic and sometimes it is hard to discriminate. It is important to make this distinction. People with minor stroke or TIA need preventative treatment to reduce the risk of a disabling stroke.
The project, led by Dr Jesse Dawson will evaluate whether TriMethS levels can be used to predict and diagnose stroke/TIA. Levels of TriMethS will be measured in 300 patients referred with suspected minor stroke and TIA. All participants will be verified as having suffered minor stroke/TIA or a mimic. The project will assess whether knowledge of TriMethS levels improves diagnostic accuracy and whether levels are related to long term outcomes. Further experiments will be undertaken to elucidate the role of TriMethS and to begin developing an assay that could be used in the clinical setting.
First published: 12 January 2018