Protecting nerve cells from death in a model of stroke

A team of researchers, led by Yizheng Wang, at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, has identified a way to preserve nerve cells in a rat model of stroke.

Stroke is most commonly caused by impaired delivery of oxygen to part of the brain as a result of disruption to the blood supply (a condition known as ischemia). This leads to nerve cell death, although the exact mechanisms underlying ischemic nerve cell death have not been clearly determined. Yang and colleagues, set out to test in rats the idea that disruption to pathways involved in protecting nerve cells from death contributes to nerve cell death in stroke and generated data consistent with this idea. Specifically, they found that degradation of the protein TRPC6 preceded nerve cell death in the rat model of stroke and that suppressing TRPC6 degradation prevented nerve cell death and subsequent brain damage. The authors therefore suggest that preventing TRPC6 degradation could be a way to limit nerve cell death after stroke. Read more

Success stops drug trial of apixaban in the prevention of stroke

Contact: Laura Thompson
lthomp@mcmaster.ca
905-525-9140
McMaster University
The data monitoring committee of the AVERROES study, seeing overwhelming evidence of the success of apixaban in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation who are unsuitable for the conventional treatment of warfarin, has recommended early termination of this study. The decision came after repeated review and careful consideration of all efficacy and safety data.

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Human umbilical cord blood cells aid lab animal brain cell survival after simulated stroke

Researchers find conflicting results on inflammatory processes

Human umbilical cord blood cells (HUCB) used to treat cultured rat brain cells (astrocytes) deprived of oxygen appear to protect astrocytes from cell death after stroke-like damage, reports a team of researchers from the University of South Florida (USF) Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair.

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Millions of Americans in early stages of kidney disease need stroke monitoring

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wednesday, July 28, 2010 – Millions of Americans in the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at an increased risk of having atrial fibrillation (AF) – a major risk factor for stroke – according to new research by investigators at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

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PLAC Test for heart disease and stroke prevention

While knowing your blood pressure and family history is a good start to determine risk for stroke, it is far from foolproof. Going beyond traditional risk factors, the PLAC Test is the only FDA-approved blood test that detects one’s risk for ischemic stroke and coronary heart disease.

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Getting a grip on stroke treatment

New device may provide safer way to treat the third leading cause of death in the US

When someone suffers a stroke, time is critical–more than a million brain cells die each minute, starved of nourishment due to critical damage in a cerebral blood vessel.

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Virtual visits shrink the distance in stroke rehab

Quebec City − Telemedicine holds the key to the rehabilitation of people with stroke living in northern, rural, remote Canadian communities, rehabilitation researcher Esmé French told the Canadian Stroke Congress today.

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Brain may use clot-busting drug naturally as protection against stroke

Contact: Jennifer Johnson
jrjohn9@emory.edu
404-727-5696
Emory University
New research on the properties of the clot-busting stroke drug tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) suggests that tPA can act as a neuroprotectant and may form the keystone of an adaptive response to a reduction in blood flow.

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How dark chocolate may guard against brain injury from stroke

Contact: Stephanie Desmon
sdesmon1@jhmi.edu
410-955-8665
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Read more

How red wine may shield brain from stroke damage

Contact: Stephanie Desmon
sdesmon1@jhmi.edu
410-955-8665
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Read more

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