Drug to Limit Stroke Damage Shows Promise in Human Trials

A new drug called NA-1 developed in Canada is showing a lot of promised in a limited study conducted in Toronto. While the study is a fledgling at phase 2 trials there is a lot of promising proof that offers hope for future stroke victims. The side effects noted in this study were almost non-existent with only two patients suffering major strokes during an operation. These incidents are believed to be related to an underlying condition and not the treatment itself.

The major setback when it comes to stroke treatment is that the time frame for treatment is very limited. The current treatment requires that the clot busting drugs be given within the first four and a half hours in order to prevent damage. The time it takes to diagnose the cause of the stroke and getting the patient treatment this timeline is often exceeded.

Researchers responsible for the new drug are working in a field that has been virtually abandoned by pharmaceuticals due to repeated failures. The researchers started a company named NoNO Inc, an ironic name standing for no nitric oxide which is responsible for causing damage to sensitive brain tissues during a stroke.

The trial was a limited but focused study of 185 patients but the results showed real promise according to the data. The test subjects who received NA-1 had approximately fifty percent less strokes than the patients who were given the placebo. An additional benefit of NA-1 was discovered on patients who needed surgery to repair damage as there was much less damage found than was expected.

Source: Ottawa Citizen