New Drug Limits Then Repairs Brain Damage Caused By Stroke

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http://neurosciencenews.com/stroke-pharmacology-damage-5603/ 

            Through research at the University of Manchester, it has been suggested a new drug may have the potential to assist stroke victims by reducing and repairing damaged neurons. A stroke occurs when there is a lack of blood flow to the brain, resulting in a lack of oxygen. As a result, neurons begin to die and may be affected permanently. This drug, anti-inflammatory interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), is licensed to humans for other conditions, such as arthritis, but not yet for stroke. In current research on rodents, this drug has caused an increased number of neurons and decrease in brain damage in only a few days. This is extremely promising, as no drugs in the past have proven to be successful in this area. Even further, this drug will not only prevent brain damage, but also generate new brain cells. This research is a great platform of information in the right direction, but much more research needs to be done to determine if it will be successful on humans.


            As an occupational therapy major, this was an interesting read. The role of an occupational therapist in the context of stroke rehabilitation would include adapting the person and the environment according to their deficits. This research provides a new idea of treatment that would include improving function. If this were possible, independence for stroke survivors would be achieved much faster. This provides a hope for stroke survivors to not simply cope, but to recover. This article even mentions that co-morbidities associated with stroke are improved as well. I do believe that this needs to be researched much further before administering the drug to humans. One of the most important concerns I had when reading this article, is controlling neurogenesis once it has begun. Unregulated production of cells could produce many other complications that would further hinder function. Overall, this article was very interesting and I hope to hear more about this research in the future. 

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 28, 2016 at 6:22 PM

    I don't mean to be a pessimist but this sounds too good to be true in my opinion. It sounds risky, what if the new cells mutate into something unexpected and never seen before? What if the drug causes too much blood to flow to the brain and cause intracranial pressure, which causes damage to brain tissue?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dani SlebzakNovember 28, 2016 at 10:27 PM

    If there is a way to prevent brain damage and reverse preexisting damage in the works, then this could be revolutionary in the medical and psychiatric field. To take this research a step further with possibilities, the could even begin to reverse the effects of age on the brain. Patients who suffer from amnesia, dementia, and other related conditions could have the possibility of leading a more independent and successful lifestyle.

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