New drug may ease the effects of stroke

Earlier studies on great apes demonstrated that NA-1, an inhibitor of the postsynaptic density protein 95, prevents the death of brain cells in ischemic stroke.

A double-blind randomized phase II clinical trial conducted in 14 clinics in the USA and Canada involved 185 patients over the age of 18 with a diagnosis of ruptured or unexploded intracranial aneurysm who were prescribed endovascular surgery. 92 patients of the experimental group were given intravenous injections of NA-1, while 93 patients of the control group were injected with saline solution. 

The study of the brain tissue of patients using magnetic resonance imaging showed that the use of an experimental drug reduced the number of ischemic infarction zones in the brain. Moreover, according to the doctors' conclusion, the administration of NA-1 is safe for patients, since only two participants developed minor side effects.

A representative of the American Stroke Association said that these results are very encouraging, but further research is needed.

Article by Hill et al. Safety and efficacy of NA-1 in patients with iatrogenic stroke after endovascular aneurysm repair (ENACT): a phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in the Lancet Neurology journal.

Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru according to the BBC: Drug may prevent stroke damage.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru12.10.2012