Stroke (cont.)

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What is in the future for stroke treatment?

New medications are also being tested that help slow the degeneration of the nerve cells that are deprived of oxygen during a stroke. These drugs are referred to as "neuroprotective" agents, an example of which is sipatrigine. Another example is chlormethiazole, which works by modifying the expression of genes within the brain (Genes produce proteins that determine an individual's makeup.).

Finally, stem cells, which have the potential to develop into a variety of different organs, are being used to try to replace brain cells damaged by a previous stroke. In many academic medical centers, some of these experimental agents may be offered in the setting of a clinical trial. While new therapies for the treatment of patients after a stroke are on the horizon, they are not yet perfect and may not restore complete function to a person who has had a stroke.

REFERENCE:

Jaunch, C. E., et al. "Guidelines for the early management of patients with acute ischemic stroke: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association." Stroke 44.3 (2013): 870-947.


Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 4/10/2013

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