New drug helps to limit and repair post-stroke brain damage

SCIENTIESTS at the University of Manchester have discovered a drug which limits the destruction of cells in the brains of stroke suffers and helps to repair damage afterwards.

The drug, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra in short), is currently licensed for use on humans with other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
 
The research findings, published in academic journal Brain, Behaviour and Immunity, found that the drug brain damage early on after the stroke occurred.

Days later, it also increased the number of new neurones.

The anti-inflammatory drug offers hope for stroke sufferers as previous attempts to find a drug to treat brain damage have been unsuccessful.

Unlike previous drugs, IL-1Ra helps in the regeneration of brain cells in the time after the stroke.

The new cells are thought to help restore the function of the brain and the study also found that the drug helped to redevelop motor skills of young and older rodents in the aftermath.

Research leader, Professor Stuart Allan, said: “The results lend further strong support to the use of IL-1Ra in the treatment of stroke, however further large trials are necessary.”

Funding for the research was provided by the Medical Research Council.