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Final Program


Final Congress Guide

Biomedical Sciences

100 Section - Molecular Biomarkers for Predicting Brain Repair and Cognitive Outcomes in post-stroke rehabilitation'

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PT

    Presenting Author/Autor expositor(s)

  • EM

    Elzbieta D. Miller, MD

    Head of Department of Neurological Rehabilitation
    Medical University of Lodz
    Lodz, Lodzkie, Poland

    • Co-Author/Coautor(s)

  • LW

    Lidia Wlodarczyk, MD

    MD PhD
    Department of Neurological Rehabilitation Medical University of Lodz
    lodz, Lodzkie, Poland

  • JS

    Joanna Saluk, PhD

    Head of Department of General Biochemistry
    University of Lodz
    lodz, Lodzkie, Poland

Objectives : The first three months following a stroke represent a critical window for recovery, driven by spontaneous repair mechanisms and therapy-induced processes such as neuroplasticity, angiogenesis, and reperfusion

Design:

This study investigated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), along with their corresponding genes, to evaluate their potential as biomarkers of cerebral repair capacity and predictors of functional outcome. Associations with clinical scales, including cognitive performance and depression measures, were also examined.
The study cohort included 32 patients with moderate ischemic stroke, assessed three to four weeks post-incident. Clinical and molecular parameters were evaluated across a three-week inpatient rehabilitation program.

Results:

. Statistically significant improvements were observed in clinical outcomes, accompanied by dynamic changes in VEGF and MMP-9 protein and mRNA expression. Notably, combined assessment of MMP-9 protein and mRNA levels demonstrated strong predictive value for post-stroke cognitive recovery, with a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 71% (p < 0.0001).


Conclusion:

These findings suggest that MMP-9 expression, particularly when assessed at both protein and transcript levels, may serve as a clinically relevant biomarker for predicting cognitive improvement during stroke rehabilitation.