A stroke happens suddenly, often without warning.
It begins when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked, cutting off oxygen and nutrients that brain cells need to survive.
Many people think the damage ends there, but scientists have long known that the injury continues to develop over hours and even days.
Until now, it has not been fully clear why brain cells keep dying after the initial event.
A new study has shed light on this mystery and offers a promising path for future treatment. The research was led by scientists at the Institute for Basic Science in South Korea and published in the journal Cell Metabolism.
The brain is made up of many different types of cells. Among them are neurons, which send signals and control movement, thinking, and memory. There are also astrocytes, which are support cells that help protect neurons and keep the brain stable.
After a stroke, astrocytes quickly react to injury and form what is called a glial barrier. This barrier has long been believed to protect healthy brain tissue. However, the new study shows that this response may actually become harmful.
The researchers discovered that shortly after a stroke, levels of a chemical called hydrogen peroxide rise sharply in the brain. Hydrogen peroxide is a type of reactive oxygen molecule that can damage cells.
This increase triggers astrocytes to change their behavior. Instead of simply protecting neurons, they begin producing large amounts of type I collagen, a protein that is not usually found in high levels in the brain.
As this collagen builds up, it becomes part of the glial barrier. Rather than helping the brain heal, the barrier becomes dense and harmful. It sends signals that lead to the slow death of nearby neurons. This means that the brain damage seen after a stroke is not just caused by the initial lack of blood flow, but also by a chain reaction that continues afterward.
To test whether collagen was truly responsible for this damage, the scientists blocked its production in astrocytes. When they did this, they found that many neurons were protected and survived. This showed that collagen is not just present during damage, but actually plays a key role in causing it.
The team then looked for ways to stop this harmful process earlier. Instead of targeting collagen directly, they focused on hydrogen peroxide, which starts the chain reaction.
They tested a new drug called KDS12025, which reduces hydrogen peroxide levels. In animal studies, this drug prevented the production of collagen, reduced brain damage, and helped preserve normal brain function.
One of the most exciting findings was the timing. Current stroke treatments usually need to be given within a few hours to be effective. However, this new drug worked even when given up to two days after the stroke. This suggests that there may be a much longer window to treat patients and reduce damage than previously thought.
The researchers also tested the treatment in monkeys, which are more similar to humans than mice. The results were very encouraging. Monkeys that received the drug were able to recover movement and perform tasks that untreated animals could not do. This suggests that the treatment could work in humans as well.
This study changes how scientists think about stroke. Instead of seeing it as a single event, it may be better understood as a process that continues over time. By targeting the steps that happen after the initial injury, it may be possible to protect the brain and improve recovery.
In conclusion, this research provides new insight into how stroke causes damage and offers hope for better treatments. By identifying hydrogen peroxide and collagen as key factors, scientists have opened the door to new therapies that could save brain cells even after a delay.
However, more research is needed before this treatment can be used in hospitals. If future studies confirm these findings, it could lead to major improvements in stroke care and recovery.
If you care about stroke, please read studies that diets high in flavonoids could help reduce stroke risk, and MIND diet could slow down cognitive decline after stroke.
For more health information, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce the risk of dementia, and tea and coffee may help lower your risk of stroke, dementia.
