It begins with healthy red blood cells flowing through a brain blood vessel. A fatty plaque forms on the vessel wall, followed by a clot that blocks blood flow. Oxygen and nutrients are cut off from brain tissue.
Stroke is a major global health problem as the second cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability worldwide. Healthcare for stroke patients spans a continuum from acute treatment to hospitalization to rehabilitation and then to prevention. To address the full continuum of stroke care, The Stroke Institute at UTHealth Houston is a joint collaboration among the McGovern Medical School, School of Public Health, Cizik School of Nursing, and School of Biomedical Informatics and leverages the strong clinical partnership of UTHealth Houston with the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System and other health systems in Houston.
The Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases provides students and fellows with an atmosphere of growth and mentorship in building a career in stroke. Educational opportunities are currently available for Medical & Nursing Students, Physicians and traveling researchers.
The Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases sustains highly successful research in acute stroke treatment and is developing new areas of research in stroke: recovery, prevention, health services, AI technology, population health, pain management, pediatrics and vascular cognitive impairment and mental health.
Our Community Engagement Core creates opportunities for researchers to build a coalition between communities, community based organizations and academia by building sustainable community partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations.
At the STEP Clinic, we know that risk factor control and lifestyle change take time. We help patients identify and control risk factors and take steps towards improving dietary habits and increasing physical activity.
Stroke can happen to anyone, anytime. Knowing the signs, and acting fast, can save a life. RÁPIDO Resources from UTHealth Houston offers free tools in English and Spanish to help you learn and share stroke warning signs.
Explore videos, printable guides, and easy-to-use materials designed for Spanish-speaking families and communities. Be ready. Be RÁPIDO.
Stroke remains one of the largest neurological disease burdens worldwide. At the 2026 meeting of the American Society for Experimental Neurotherapeutics (ASENT) , a symposium on “Rejuvenating and Re-Investing in Stroke Therapeutics” was organized by Stroke Institute director, Dr. Sean Savitz, bringing together leaders from academia, the NIH, FDA, industry, and stroke centers to discuss advancing new therapies for stroke.
The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration across research institutions, regulatory agencies, and industry partners to accelerate innovation and improve outcomes for patients affected by stroke.
Stroke Institute Director, Dr. Sean Savitz, delivered the keynote presentation, “Challenges and Opportunities in Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery,” at the 2026 Western Intermountain Neurological Organization (WINO) meeting hosted by University of Utah Department of Neurology.
His presentation explored the ongoing challenges in improving recovery after stroke and highlighted opportunities for innovation across clinical care and research. Advancing recovery after stroke remains one of the most important challenges in neurology, and continued collaboration across institutions, researchers, and clinicians is essential to move the field forward and improve long-term outcomes for patients.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston developed RÁPIDO, a stroke recognition tool, to help Spanish-speaking communities identify stroke warning signs quickly and activate emergency medical services without delay. By adapting stroke education to Spanish-language communication patterns, the tool aims to improve recognition and response during one of the most time-critical medical emergencies.
Learn more about the development of RÁPIDO and the research supporting its impact in the article below:
In the heart of the Texas Medical Center and across the state, UTHealth Houston is boldly committed to solving the greatest health challenges of our time through education, research, innovation, and excellence in patient care. Through unique collaborations promoted by our Stroke Institute and our university's schools, we are working tirelessly to create a healthier future to prevent stroke, promote brain health, and enhance recovery for those disabled by stroke.
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Your donation supports vital stroke research, treatments, and patient care, improving the lives of those affected by stroke and their families.
