Nutrition effects on brain outcomes and recovery in stroke after hospitalization (NOURISH): Randomized controlled trial protocol and rationale
Authors
Laurel Cherian, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: laurel_j_cherian@rush.edu.
Puja Agarwal, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA; Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Klodian Dhana, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Vincent Carey, Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Mark A. Espeland, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Nancy Laranjo, Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Xavier Reilly, Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Cheng Hong, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Pyone Maung, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Chiquia Hollings, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Beth Lukaszewicz, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Jennifer Ventrelle, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Jameszetta James, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Amy Tran, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Santosh Basapur, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Thomas Holland, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Kristin R. Krueger, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Xiaoran Liu, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Dixon Yang, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
James R. Brorson, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Rasha Khatib, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
Konstantinos Arfanakis, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA; Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Lisa L. Barnes, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA; Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Christy Tangney, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Neelum T. Aggarwal, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA; Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Recommended Citation
Cherian L, Agarwal P, Dhana K, et al. Nutrition Effects on Brain Outcomes and Recovery in Stroke after Hospitalization (NOURISH): Randomized controlled trial protocol and rationale. Contemp Clin Trials. 2025;158:108108. doi:10.1016/j.cct.2025.108108
Abstract
Background: Risk of dementia doubles after stroke. There is limited information on reduction of risk, but diet is a significant modifiable risk factor for both vascular health and cognition.
Objective: Nutrition effects on brain Outcomes and Recovery In Stroke after Hospitalization (NOURISH; registration no. NCT04337255) is a phase III randomized controlled trial designed to test the effects of the MIND diet on changes in cognition following an acute ischemic stroke.
Study methods: Eligible participants aged 55 and older were randomized to either the MIND diet intervention facilitated by credentialled nutritionists plus post-stroke care (Coach) or a post-stroke care intervention led by health educators (Self) for 24-36 months. Repeated assessments included anthropometric measurements, cognitive testing, blood and urinary biomarkers, and a variety of validated post-stroke outcome measures and follow-up visits for up to 3 years, with MRI scans conducted on a subset of participants at baseline and the study's end. Unique features of this study include: CONCLUSIONS: This study will evaluate the MIND diet intervention in preventing cognitive impairment in older adults after acute stroke. Findings will provide insights for the development of dietary guidelines for post-stroke care.
