About the AHA Bugher Award and the UCSF Center of Excellence in Hemorrhagic Stroke Research
The American Heart Association-Bugher Foundation presents the Center of Excellence in Hemorrhagic Stroke Research award to institutions that are innovating multi-disciplinary approaches to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular research. As a Center of Excellence in Hemorrhagic Stroke Research, the University of California San Francisco is leading three projects under the guidance of Center Director, Dr. Heather Fullerton, and project Principal Investigators, Dr. Helen Kim (Project 1), Dr. Jarod Roland (Project 2), Dr. Christine Fox and Dr. Noma Dlamini (Project 3). Through these three projects, the Center hopes to improve the care of children with brain AVMs around the globe.
Projects at the UCSF Center of Excellence in Hemorrhagic Stroke Research
Improving Outcomes of Children with Hemorrhagic Stroke and Brain Arteriovenous Malformations
Although half of all strokes that occur in children are hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding into the brain), most childhood stroke research has looked at ischemic stroke (blockage of blood flow to the brain). As a Center of Excellence in Hemorrhagic Stroke Research, UCSF and its collaborators have initiated the first major study of pediatric hemorrhagic stroke with an emphasis on the most common cause in childhood: brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Brain AVMS are malformed vessels that are usually present at birth and can change over time in ways that make them more likely to bleed and injure surrounding brain. After such an injury, children can struggle for a lifetime. Doctors can cure AVMs and prevent stroke through a surgery or treatment with radiation. However, these treatments can injure the brain, and some children develop another AVM after their first one is cured. Doctors need better information to help guide their treatment decisions.
The goal of this study is to gather information that will help each individual child born with a brain AVM have the best outcome. Project 1 will analyze images of the brain and blood tests in order to help predict dangerous changes to an AVM. Project 2 will use imaging to map out brain networks around AVMs to help preserve those networks—and hence brain functions—during AVM treatment. Project 3 will build upon the International Pediatric Stroke Study – where more than 6,000 children with ischemic stroke have participated. Project 3 will start a new registry for children with brain AVMs and hemorrhagic stroke. This registry will help doctors and researchers around the world understand demographic and social determinants of hemorrhagic stroke treatment and outcome, such as, the impact of race, education, and where a child lives. As a final aim, all the project results will be used to develop a decision tree to guide the care of brain AVMs in children. UCSF and its collaborators will share what they learn through the International Pediatric Stroke Organization (IPSO), a society of health providers who take care of children with stroke. The Center of Excellence in Hemorrhagic Stroke Research Director, Dr. Heather Fullerton, serves as the founding President of IPSO, which has members from more than 30 countries. The Center will transform the field of pediatric hemorrhagic stroke and improve the care of children with brain AVMs around the globe.
UCSF Center of Excellence in Hemorrhagic Stroke Research Leadership
Heather Fullerton, MD, MAS
Center Director & Training Director, UCSF Center of Excellence in Hemorrhagic Stroke Research
Maria Kuchherzki, CCRP
Program Manager, UCSF Center of Excellence in Hemorrhagic Stroke Research