PSCImpact: Neurotransmitter-based prediction and stratification of post-stroke cognitive impairment

• Applicant: Dr. Marvin Petersen
• Subject Area: Clinical Neurology; Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 579029650

Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) affects about 50% of stroke survivors in Europe, causing disability and loss of independence. Yet clinicians lack reliable tools to predict PSCI, and no approved pharmacotherapy exists. My vision is to improve understanding of the cognitive impact of stroke by assessing how infarcts disrupt specific neurotransmitter (NT) systems, thereby advancing prognostication and treatment. I will establish proof of this concept through PSCImpact, hosted by Prof. Geert Jan Biessels at UMC Utrecht, building on three key resources: the world’s largest harmonized PSCI dataset (Meta VCI Map, n = 2,950, 12 cohorts), novel high-resolution normative atlases of connectivity and NT distribution, and advanced computational techniques for large-scale multimodal analysis. Using these, I will develop and validate patient-specific “NT lesion fingerprints” that describe how stroke lesions disrupt NT pathways. I will then test whether these fingerprints improve domain-specific PSCI prediction beyond state-of-the-art models and help identify biologically meaningful patient subgroups that can guide mechanism-based therapies. By translating this framework into an automated software toolbox compatible with routine clinical MRI, I will ensure broad accessibility for the research community. My track record and expertise are at the intersection of clinical neurology, neuroimaging, and computational modeling to identify biomarkers of vascular cognitive impairment. This fellowship will allow me to apply and further expand my skills within a leading PSCI research environment, gaining tailored training, leadership experience, and an international network that will support my path toward independence. By uniting innovative methodology, unique datasets, and elite mentorship, I am confident in completing this ambitious project, with the ultimate goal to reduce the personal, societal, and economic impact of PSCI.

• DFG Programme: Fellowship
• International Connection: Netherlands
• Host: Professor Geert Jan Biessels, Ph.D.