The National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences (NISAN) conducts epidemiological studies and clinical trials to improve health and outcomes in people with major neurological disorders. Current research programmes focus on:

  • Stroke
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Neuromuscular disorders


Research with this aim is unique in New Zealand and NISAN is a hub for information sharing and developing a cohesive network between existing research and clinical groups with interests in:

  • Neuroepidemiology
  • Public health
  • Neurorehabilitation
  • Neuropsychology
  • Biostatistics

Recent developments

Currently available cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment algorithms allow calculation of absolute risk of CVD (including stroke) but they are designed for use by health professionals and require a lab test to complete. For an individual, one of the main challenges in effective stroke prevention is:

  • Lack of awareness about stroke symptoms and risk factors
  • Self-managing strategies to reduce their risk of stroke


We have developed an App called Stroke Riskometer which has the potential to:

  • Significantly improve stroke prevention in individuals with an increased CVD risk.

The Stroke Riskometer calculates your risk by evaluating a series of risk factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, lifestyle and other health factors that directly influence your likelihood of a stroke within the next 5 and 10 years, and the user can:

  • Find out their risk of developing a stroke
  • Have a baseline risk to compare their risk against
  • Compare details with someone of their age and sex who has no risk factors.

Developed in collaboration with international leaders in stroke prevention, The Stroke Riskometer™ app:

  • Is an award winning and easy-to-use tool
  • Measures your individual risk of a stroke in the next 5 to 10 years
  • The Pro version provides essential information on how to reduce the chance of stroke.

Reducing the International Burden of Stroke Using Mobile Technology (RiBURST), is a worldwide study conducting cross-sectional, cohort and interventional (primary prevention) research of stroke and other major non-communicable diseases (NCD) (heart attack, dementia and type 2 diabetes mellitus).

You can help us learn more by:

  • Submitting your data to help us better understand stroke, its risk factors and develop global prevention strategies.
Riskometer

riskometer