Stroke is the fourth largest cause of death in the UK and the leading cause of adult disability. Every year, around 100,000 people in the UK have a stroke — that is one every five minutes. Yet stroke research is entering a transformative era, with breakthroughs in thrombectomy, neuroprotection, stem cell therapy, and digital rehabilitation. Here is what is actively recruiting in UK clinical trials right now.
The UK has a world-leading stroke research infrastructure. The NIHR Clinical Research Network supports multi-centre stroke trials across England, with parallel networks in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Organisations like the Stroke Association and British Heart Foundation provide major funding for UK-based studies.
Currently there are over 180 actively recruiting stroke trials in the UK, spanning acute treatment, rehabilitation, secondary prevention, and long-term recovery. The field has been energised by recent breakthroughs in mechanical thrombectomy and the expanding therapeutic window for acute interventions.
Acute Treatment Trials
Acute stroke trials focus on treatments given within hours of symptom onset. Time is brain — every minute counts.
Thrombolysis Expansion
Expanding the time window for clot-busting drugs (alteplase, tenecteplase) beyond the traditional 4.5 hours using advanced imaging to identify salvageable brain tissue.
Mechanical Thrombectomy
Physically removing large clots from brain arteries. UK trials are exploring extended time windows (up to 24 hours), new device designs, and combining thrombectomy with neuroprotective drugs.
Key acute treatment trials recruiting in the UK include studies on:
Tenecteplase vs alteplase — comparing clot-busting drugs for efficacy and safety
Extended-window thrombectomy — using perfusion imaging to select patients who may benefit up to 24 hours after symptom onset
Pre-hospital stroke treatment — giving treatments in ambulances before hospital arrival
Mobile stroke units — evaluating whether specialised ambulances with CT scanners improve outcomes
Neuroprotection Research
Neuroprotection aims to protect brain cells from damage during and after a stroke. Despite decades of research, no neuroprotective drug has yet been proven effective in large trials. However, new approaches are showing promise:
Combination therapy — giving neuroprotective drugs alongside thrombolysis or thrombectomy, rather than as standalone treatments
Targeted delivery — using nanoparticles and targeted antibodies to deliver neuroprotective agents directly to the stroke-affected area
Hypothermia — controlled cooling of the brain to reduce metabolic demand and cell death
Remote ischaemic conditioning — briefly restricting blood flow to a limb to trigger protective responses throughout the body
Excitotoxicity blockers — preventing the cascade of brain cell death caused by excess glutamate release
Rehabilitation and Recovery Trials
Stroke rehabilitation research has expanded dramatically, with trials exploring technology-enhanced and brain-directed approaches:
Brain stimulation — transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to enhance brain plasticity during rehabilitation
Robot-assisted therapy — robotic devices that guide repetitive movement practice for arm and leg recovery
Virtual reality rehabilitation — immersive VR environments that make rehabilitation exercises more engaging and measurable
Brain-computer interfaces — using EEG signals to control external devices, helping rewire motor pathways
Modified constraint-induced movement therapy — forcing use of the affected arm by restricting the unaffected one
Aphasia recovery trials — speech and language therapy innovations, including brain stimulation combined with speech therapy
Tele-rehabilitation — delivering therapy remotely via video and sensor technology, increasing access for patients who cannot attend hospital-based sessions
Stem Cell and Regenerative Trials
Several UK centres are running pioneering stem cell trials for stroke recovery:
Intravenous stem cell infusions — ALDH bright cells and other autologous stem cell populations administered in the recovery phase
Intracerebral stem cell implants — surgically implanting stem cells directly into the damaged brain area (PISCES trial series)
Exosome therapy — using stem cell-derived vesicles to promote repair without the risks of live cell transplantation
iPSC-derived neural cells — inducing pluripotent stem cells to become neural progenitor cells for transplantation
These trials are primarily for patients in the chronic phase of stroke recovery (typically 6+ months post-stroke) who have ongoing disability.
Secondary Prevention Studies
After a first stroke or TIA, preventing recurrence is critical. Prevention trials include:
Anticoagulation optimisation — comparing direct oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation and recent stroke
Antiplatelet strategies — duration and combination of antiplatelet therapy after ischaemic stroke
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure — long-term follow-up studies on device closure for cryptogenic stroke
Lipid-lowering innovations — PCSK9 inhibitors and next-generation statins for stroke prevention
Blood pressure management — optimal targets and medication combinations for post-stroke hypertension
Haemorrhagic Stroke Trials
While less common than ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain) is more often fatal. UK trials include:
Blood pressure management — optimal targets in the acute phase of intracerebral haemorrhage
Haemostatic therapy — using clotting factors to stop ongoing bleeding
Surgical evacuation — minimally invasive techniques to remove blood clots from the brain
Subarachnoid haemorrhage — treatments for vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischaemia after aneurysm rupture
Eligibility for Stroke Trials
Eligibility depends heavily on the type and timing of the trial:
Acute trials — require presentation within hours of symptom onset; often recruited via A&E or hyperacute stroke units
Rehabilitation trials — typically require a confirmed stroke diagnosis, specific level of impairment (e.g., arm weakness, aphasia), and stable medical condition
Prevention trials — require a history of stroke or TIA, often within a specific time window
Stem cell trials — typically 6–24 months post-stroke, with persistent motor or cognitive deficits
Common requirements include: brain imaging (CT/MRI) confirming stroke type, modified Rankin Scale assessment, and ability to attend follow-up visits.
💡 For Carers and Family Members
Many stroke trials, particularly rehabilitation studies, accept referrals from carers and family members. If your loved one has had a stroke, you can search for trials on their behalf and discuss options with their stroke team.
UK Stroke Trial Centres
Major UK stroke trial centres include:
London — King's College Hospital, UCLH, Imperial College, St George's
Glasgow — Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Institute of Neurological Sciences
Manchester — Salford Royal (one of the UK's busiest stroke centres)
Edinburgh — Western General Hospital
Newcastle — Royal Victoria Infirmary
Cambridge — Addenbrooke's Hospital
Birmingham — Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham
Bristol — Southmead Hospital
Leeds — Leeds General Infirmary
Oxford — John Radcliffe Hospital
How to Find Your Match
Whether you have had a stroke recently or are in the recovery phase, our tools can help you find relevant trials. Use the Smart Matcher for personalised results based on your stroke type, time since onset, and current symptoms.
Find Stroke Trials For You
Our Smart Matcher uses your stroke type, time since onset, and recovery status to find the most relevant clinical trials.