The Stroke Association's response to research into neurotoxicity and stroke as reported in Cell

This research could help to fully determine the exact mechanism behind the death of nerve cells in the brain that happens when blood supply to this area is blocked, such as in the case of a stroke. However, this research is only at initial stages and further work in this field is needed to fully determine whether this will lead to more effective treatments for stroke, which specifically address this mechanism.

The Stroke Association welcomes any research that will improve current knowledge into the causes, prevention and treatment of stroke and will monitor the progress of any further research into this topic with interest.

Notes to editor

1. The research is reported in this week's edition of the scientific journal Cell, and proposes a new mechanism that causes the death of brain cells (neurons) in stroke. Stroke is a consequence of an abrupt interruption of blood flow to the brain. When the blood supply stops, neurons that are directly deprived of oxygen quickly die and release the chemicals that they use to communicate with each other, called neurotransmitters. This leads to a process called excitotoxicity, which causes much more widespread cell death. The research aimed to understand why the release of one such neurotransmitter, Glutamate, triggers a flood of calcium ions into neurons. The levels of calcium continue to rise and eventually lead to the death of neurons. The new findings suggest that the main defect is in the removal of calcium from neurons. This may open up new opportunities for the development of drugs to reduce nerve cell death, not only in stroke but also in degenerative brain disorders.

2. Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

3. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

4. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.

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