Research: Drug used 6 hours after stroke reduces brain cell death and prevents paralysis

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide after heart disease. Now, researchers have developed a drug that can significantly reduce the brain damage caused by strokes.

In a study recently published in the scientific journal iScience , Japanese researchers have invented a drug that can block a protein that causes nerve cell death, dramatically reducing paralysis and brain cell loss in mice, according to the science news site Scitech Daily.

Even better, it doesn't cause worrisome side effects and has the potential to treat other neurological diseases like Alzheimer's. This could be a breakthrough in stroke treatment, and more.

Japanese researchers have invented a drug that can block a protein that causes nerve cell death, which could help in stroke treatment.

Protecting brain cells: good news for stroke patients.

When a stroke occurs, millions of brain cells die in just one minute. To prevent these cell deaths, a research team led by Professor Hidemitsu Nakajima from Osaka Metropolitan University (Japan) has developed a drug that inhibits a protein involved in cell death.

The multifunctional protein GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) is a factor in causing many difficult-to-treat brain and nervous system diseases. To inhibit its formation, the research team developed GAI-17, which can inhibit GAPDH aggregation. When used in a mouse model of acute stroke, this substance significantly reduced the rate of brain cell death and paralysis compared to untreated mice.

GAI-17 also does not cause significant side effects, such as effects on the heart or cerebrovascular system. Furthermore, trials have shown that effectiveness is still achieved even when the drug is administered up to 6 hours after a stroke occurs.

Prospects of GAI-17 therapy

Professor Nakajima said: The GAPDH aggregation inhibitor that the research team has developed is expected to be a unique drug that can treat many difficult-to-treat neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. In the future, the team will test the effectiveness of this drug for diseases other than stroke and promote further practical research, according to Scitech Daily.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nghien-cuu-thuoc-dung-6-tieng-sau-dot-quy-giam-chet-te-bao-nao-tranh-liet-1852507202238088.htm