Overview

GROW-ICAS (Gut microBiota and prOgnostic Outcomes in IntraCranial Arterial Stenosis) is a prospective observational cohort study that enrolls patients with intracranial arterial stenosis to investigate the correlations between their gut microbiota, metabolomic, and transcriptomic profiles and three key clinical domains: functional outcomes, vascular plaque imaging characteristics, and post-stroke non-motor dysfunctions (including cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, and fatigue).

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 30-80 years.
2. Intracranial arterial stenosis confirmed by CTA/MRA/DSA.
3. Local residency ≥6 consecutive months.
4. Signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Tandem extracranial stenosis (≥50%) proximal to the target intracranial stenotic vessel.
2. Non-atherosclerotic intracranial stenosis.
3. Extracranial/intracranial endovascular treatment within 30 days pre-enrollment or planned intervention within 6 months.
4. Intracranial hemorrhage within 90 days pre-enrollment.
5. Pre-existing intracranial tumor, cerebral aneurysm, or arteriovenous malformation.
6. Cardioembolic embolism.
7. Active bleeding/hemorrhagic diathesis.
8. Major surgery within 30 days pre-enrollment or planned within 6 months post-enrollment.
9. Severe neurological deficits impairing independent living or dementia/psychiatric disorders hindering follow-up.
10. Pregnancy/lactation/planned pregnancy.
11. Chronic inflammatory/autoimmune diseases.
12. Uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes.
13. Severe cardiac/hepatic/renal dysfunction, hematologic disorders, malignancy, or life expectancy <1 year.
14. MRI contraindications.
15. History of depression/anxiety/cognitive impairment requiring therapy.
16. Antibiotic/probiotic/glucocorticoid/immunosuppressant use within 1 month pre-enrollment.
17. Current/planned participation in other trials.
18. Inability to cooperate due to psychiatric/emotional disorders.
19. Other investigator-deemed ineligibility.