Published: Wednesday 28 March 2018
Published in the journal Stroke, a new study suggests that a drug commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis may also help reduce harmful inflammation in the brain after ischaemic stroke (a stroke caused by a blocked blood vessel in the brain).
Commenting on the research, Hilary Reynolds, Executive Director of Strategy & Research at the Stroke Association said:
“This study builds on evidence that IL-1Ra (Kineret) helps to reduce inflammation and brain damage in a wide range of stroke patients soon after a stroke. The drug can be given quickly, via injection or via a drip. This means that it can be used in different settings, for example, it could potentially be given in ambulances on the way to hospital. The brain loses around 2 million brain cells every minute during a stroke, so this could provide a major step forward in fast and effective treatment of stroke.
“The research has not yet proven that this drug can reduce patient disability after stroke. However, if further trials are successful, we hope it could vastly improve outcomes and quality of life for people who have had a stroke.”
To read the full news release, visit the University of Manchester website.
Funding
This research was funded by a Stroke Association project grant (TSA 2014-08) to Professor Pippa Tyrrell, University of Manchester.