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.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

41076115