How the Blue Devil and Brain Research Intersect
Duke researchers are helping raise awareness of a lesser‑understood effect of stroke: communication challenges that affect how people interact, even when their speech remains clear. For Duke student Nana Osaki, that work took on personal meaning--her time as the Blue Devil mascot, where communication relies entirely on gestures and body language, mirrored the kinds of nonverbal cues often disrupted in right‑hemisphere stroke patients. Her experiences in and out of the lab deepened her understanding of how meaning is conveyed beyond words and what happens when that ability breaks down. Through federally supported research, Duke scientists are developing better ways to identify and treat these challenges, helping patients maintain relationships, independence, and quality of life.
This research has been supported in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
