Molecule Able To Protect The Brain After Stroke Discovered
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Molecule Able To Protect The Brain After Stroke Discovered
A new study that will be published in the March issue of Translational Stroke Research led by Nicolas Bazan, MD, PhD describes the discovery of a new compound that is able to protect the brain of an experimental model in case of stroke. A patent was issued in order to register the discovery of a compund named LAU-0901, drug with a low molecular weight that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier.
The most common type of stroke is ischemic stroke, necrosis of a part more or less important of the brain, caused by the obstruction of the arteries that irrigate that particular region. Cerebral infarction is the most severe form of cerebral ischemia (reduction of blood perfusion to the brain). The most frequent cause is thrombosis (blockage with a clot or thrombus), favored by the presence, inside the artery, of a plaque buildup (cholesterol deposit). A second cause is embolism, migration of a fragment of thrombus or plaque buildup in the upstream of artery (carotid or thoracic aorta) or heart. During this episode of ischemic stroke, the body reacts and releases certain compounds that promote the inflammation of the brain. PAF or platelet-activating factor builds up causing neurons to die. It is therefore very important to stop this process.
In order to assess effectiveness of this treatment option, scientists used imaging techniques like MRI together with behavior and immunohistopathology (also known as “immunohistochemistry” is a technique that uses antibodies to stain histological sections needed for for examination under a microscope). When the LAU-0901 molecule was administered about two hours after the first stroke symptoms, it reduced the severity of brain injury and also improved motor movements in experimental models. Given the fact that no side effects were reported, we can conclude the results may suggest that LAU-0901 is a very promising future treatment option for patients suffering a stroke.
Currently, stroke is one of the major causes of death and disability worldwide. Conventional stroke treatments make use of drugs that prevent coagulation and thrombosis, and when possible, surgery in order to correct the abnormalities of certain blood vessels in the brain.