Scientists find better stroke therapy that protects memory and learning

Scientists find better stroke therapy that protect memory and learning — Photo credit: Unsplash+

Have you ever heard of stroke? It’s a dangerous health problem that occurs when blood can’t reach parts of your brain.

Current stroke treatments focus on removing blood clots, which are blockages in blood vessels.

But a group of scientists in Colorado has discovered a new way to help stroke patients. They use a drug that protects the brain itself.

In the office

The scientists work at the Anschutz Medical Campus of the University of Colorado. They looked at a protein in the brain called CaMKII.

This protein plays a big role in how we learn and remember things. They thought that if they could control this protein, they could protect the brain during a stroke.

But there was a problem. They feared that exposure to this protein could lead to memory problems.

The miracle drug: tatCN19o

To address this problem, the team developed a special drug called tatCN19o. They tested this drug on animals and the results were amazing.

The drug did not damage the existing memories. Learning was only briefly interrupted for less than an hour. Most importantly, the drug protected brain cells even when given after a stroke.

Why this matters

Carolyn Nicole Brown, one of the team members, said the short study break was worth it. In the case of a severe stroke, this minor side effect is perfectly acceptable.

Additionally, the short-term nature of this side effect could open doors for treating other brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Another team member, Nicole Rumian, supported this. She explained that the protein is actually important for memory.

However, a brief interruption in its function does not result in permanent memory loss. This makes tatCN19o a promising drug for future stroke treatments.

Next Steps

The next step for this new drug is further safety studies. Team leader K. Ulrich Bayer expects to be able to start testing the drug on humans in about three years.

Bayer is very happy about that. He believes his research will make a big difference in the lives of stroke victims.

Also involved is Neurexis Therapeutics, a drug development company. They licensed the drug and are working hard to bring it to market.

understand stroke

Stroke is a major health problem worldwide. It occurs when the blood supply to parts of the brain is blocked, usually by a blood clot. This prevents oxygen from reaching these areas, which leads to the death of brain cells.

Symptoms can include difficulty speaking and understanding, paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg, blurred vision in one or both eyes, and headache.

Current stroke treatment

The most common method of treating a stroke is to quickly restore blood flow to the brain. Doctors use drugs to dissolve or remove blood clots.

However, this new study shows that protecting brain cells directly could also be a crucial part of treatment. The results of this study suggest that tatCN19o could fundamentally change stroke therapy.

With stroke being a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, innovations like these are truly life-changing.

Being able to not only treat but also protect the brain during and after a stroke is a major advance. This could make the recovery of stroke patients easier and faster in the future.

If you are interested in stroke, please read studies about it a breakfast associated with better blood vessel healthAnd Olive oil could help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Further information on the subject of health can be found in current studies How the Mediterranean Diet Can Protect Your Brain HealthAnd Wild blueberries can be good for your heart and brain.

The study was published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.