Dr Nicholas Evans
- Senior Clinical Lecturer researching vascular/brain imaging & frailty in stroke
- Consultant Stroke Physician
- Director of Studies at Wolfson College
About
Nicholas is a Consultant in Stroke Medicine and a researcher in Cerebrovascular Medicine. His research involves imaging of the brain and blood vessels in individuals with cerebrovascular disease and stroke.
Nicholas is an enthusiastic medical educator, having delivered clinical supervisions for over a decade and teaching regularly on the clinical medicine course. He is the joint lead for Cambridge’s INSPIRE scheme (supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Wellcome Trust) that aims to promote research skills and participation amongst students. He has co-ordinated examinations for the School of Clinical Medicine and served on the Faculty Board. Nicholas is also a tutor on the Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education at the Institute of Continuing Education in Cambridge, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He has a Master's in Medical Education and is Director of Studies in Pre-Clinical Medicine at Wolfson.
Research
Multimodal Molecular Imaging of Carotid Atheroinflammation and its Role in Stroke Severity and Recovery
Carotid artery stenosis is a major cause of stroke. The narrowing of these arteries is caused by atheroma; fatty deposits that cause ‘furring up’ of the arteries. Inflammation within atheroma is known to be associated with atheroma rupture and formation of blood clots that may break off and trigger strokes (thromboemboli). What is not known is how this affects recovery in the longer term.
My research uses Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to assess different patterns of inflammation within the carotid arteries of participants who have had a stroke due to carotid artery stenosis. This is then compared to the severity and recovery from stroke assessed using clinical and radiological techniques. The research considers not only the physical effects of a stroke but also the effects upon cognition and psychological wellbeing. Understanding how inflammation affects these outcomes will have important implications for risk stratification, prognostication, and patient-centred rehabilitation.
