Neural Protein Reduces Brain Injury After Stroke
December 17th, 2007 Posted by: Dr. Cox
(Ivanhoe Newswire) â A neural protein may help reduce brain damage after someone has a stroke.
New research from China looked at the benefits of the neural protein, Secretoneurin (SN) in a rat model of stroke. SN plays various roles in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system such as increasing the formation of blood vessels in mouse corneas.
The study found the ratsâ production of SN increased in brain cells after oxygen flow to the brain was blocked, simulating an ischemic stroke. And in lab experiments, SN improved the survival of primary brain cell cultures deprived of oxygen and glucose.
Results also show when rats with ischemia-induced stroke were injected with SN, they had less brain damage, improved motor performance, and better brain function. And SN injections stimulated the formation of blood vessels in the brain.
The authors say their findings show SN could be a powerful small-molecule drug to treat stroke.
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SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2007