New drug may enhance stroke recovery methods

Researchers at UCLA Health have made an important discovery that could change treatment for stroke patients. They have identified a drug that mimics the effects of physical rehabilitation in mice recovering from stroke. This could help patients regain movement, making recovery easier and more effective. Every year, about 800,000 people in the U.S. suffer strokes. For many, this leads to difficulties in performing simple tasks, like walking or picking up objects. Traditional rehabilitation is a common way to help, but it can be challenging and its effects are limited. When a stroke occurs, blood flow to the brain is cut off, causing neuron damage and breaking the connections needed for movement. Rehabilitation encourages the brain to form new connections, but understanding how this works has been difficult. The study focused on a type of neuron in the motor cortex responsible for movement. Using a mouse model, researchers found that rehabilitation strengthens connections between specialized brain cells called parvalbumin interneurons and other neurons. They discovered that rehabilitation restores "gamma oscillations," brain rhythms that help synchronize neuron activity. When these rhythms fade, coordinated movement suffers. The team tested two compounds to reactivate parvalbumin neurons and found one, DDL-920, particularly effective. This drug helped restore gamma oscillations and significantly improved movement in mice. Dr. Thomas Carmichael, who led the research, aims to develop a medicine that can provide similar benefits to stroke patients as rehabilitation does. Current rehab is often limited by how much patients can handle. Although some may be skeptical since the study was conducted on mice, there is evidence that supports its relevance to humans. The researchers also studied stroke patients and noted that those with better recovery had stronger gamma oscillations. These findings suggest that similar mechanisms may operate in both animals and humans. Timing is another critical factor. The researchers found that rehabilitation is most effective shortly after a stroke, highlighting the need to target specific neurons during this time for maximum recovery. While the results are exciting, the drug is not yet ready for human use. More studies are needed to test its safety and effectiveness before considering trials with people. Currently, there are no drugs available to treat the long-lasting effects of stroke, making this research vital for advancing stroke recovery options. The findings were published in Nature Communications.