Mission:Brain is pleased to share news of the PLOT-ICH Study, an ambitious new research initiative launched in January 2025 by the NIHR Global Health Research Group on Acquired Brain and Spine Injury. This international, prospective, observational study focuses on spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage (ICH), one of the most challenging conditions in neurosurgery, and aims to build a global network of researchers dedicated to improving care.
The goal of PLOT-ICH is to document and compare how ICH patients are diagnosed, managed, and treated across the world. By gathering data from diverse healthcare settings, the study seeks to identify regional variations in patient presentation, disease management, and outcomes. These insights will help illuminate gaps in care and drive the development of strategies that advance more equitable and effective neurosurgical practice worldwide.
Participation is open to any hospital managing patients with spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage. Each participating site will form a local study team responsible for setup and data collection. Hospitals select a 30-day study window during which they will include all patients admitted with ICH, followed by a 30-day follow-up. Data will be collected anonymously through a secure online platform, ensuring accessibility and reliability across a wide range of health systems.
A key feature of PLOT-ICH is its collaborative authorship model. Contributors from all participating hospitals will be recognized as co-authors on resulting publications, ensuring that the collective contributions of the global neurosurgery community are fully acknowledged. This structure not only fosters inclusivity but also reinforces the value of shared effort in addressing a major global health challenge.
The PLOT-ICH Study represents a unique opportunity to join an international movement aimed at transforming our understanding of intracranial haemorrhage and improving outcomes for patients worldwide. Recruitment of sites is open now and will continue until January 2026.
More information, study materials, and details on how to sign up can be found at www.plotich.org. Updates are also available on X and Instagram at @plotichstudy, and inquiries may be directed to info@plotich.org.
