News - Hypertension Week of September 7, 2003/ Vol. 2 No. 36

Study: Chemical Lengthens Window of Opportunity to Treat Stroke Patients

Northwestern University researchers have discovered a chemical that lengthens the window of opportunity to treat stroke patients.

Currently, the only approved medication that improves blood flow to oxygen-deprived brain cells must be given to stroke victims within three hours. This new chemical appears to double that window of opportunity to six hours, according to Northwestern University researchers.

As reported in the September online issue of the Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, the newly-discovered chemical inhibits activity of an enzyme called death-associated protein kinase, which increases significantly prior to brain cell death.

The researchers believe that their discovery could lead to the creation of a drug that would inhibit the activity of this protein and prevent or reduce neuron death in the critical period following brain injury or stroke.

Other sources: Northwestern University