Scientists have developed an experimental drug that is expected to protect the brain against the damaging effects of a stroke.
The scientists were working on this drug for some years.
At this point, the drug has reached the most advanced stage of development among drugs made to reduce the brain"s susceptibility to stroke damage also called "neuroprotectant".
More than 1000 attempts to develop such drugs by scientists around the world have failed to be reached to a stage where they can be used in humans, leaving a major unmet requirement for stroke treatment.
Scientists at the Toronto Western Research Institute (TWRI), Krembil Neuroscience Center, have come up with the drug, which is first to achieve a neuroprotective effect in the complex brain of primates, in settings that replicate those of human strokes. ischemic stroke.
The new study shows how the drug, called a "PSD95 inhibitor" stops brain cell death and preserves brain function when administered after a stroke has occurred.
"We are closer to having a treatment for stroke than we have ever been before," Dr. Michael Tymianski, TWRI Senior Scientist and the lead author of the study was quoted as saying.
"Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide and we believe that we now have a way to dramatically reduce its damaging effects." Dr. Michael Tymianski added.
During a stroke, regions of the brain face lack of blood and oxygen. It results into a complex sequence of chemical reactions in the brain, which can lead to neurological impairment or death.
The PSD95 inhibitor developed by the Toronto team acts to guard the brain by preventing the occurrence of these neurotoxic reactions.
In this study cynomolgus macaques were used, that bear genetic, anatomic and behaviour similarities to humans. This acted as an ideal model to decide if this therapy can be useful for patients.
Animals on which PSD95 inhibitor was used after a stroke had significantly reduced brain deterioration and this translated to a preservation of neurological functions.
These improvements were seen in several scenarios that simulated human strokes. Particularly, when the treatment was given either early, or even at 3 hours, after the stroke begins, the animals showed significant improvements.
Benefits were also seen when the drug therapy was added by conventional therapies (aimed at re-opening blocked arteries to the brain). Beneficial results were seen even in a time window when conventional treatments on their own were no longer in use.
"There is hope that this new drug could be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as thrombolytic agents or other means to restore blood flow to the brain, in order to further reduce the impact of stroke on patients," Dr. Tymianski has been quoted as saying.
"These findings are extremely exciting and our next step is to confirm these results in a clinical trial," Dr. Tymianski further said.
Nature, a journal has recently published this study.
--With inputs from ANI
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