Dear Docs and friends of Science,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4696026.stm Drug 'may cut stroke disability'
Last Updated: Thursday, 9 February 2006, 11:35 GMT
Scientists hope a new drug could cut the risk of serious disability following a
stroke.

A trial, led by Glasgow University researchers, involving more than 1,700
patients in 154 hospitals worldwide has produced promising results. The
treatment, known as NXY-059, works by minimising brain damage in the early hours
after an clot-related stroke. Stroke is one of the most common causes of death
and long-term disability around the world. A clot-related, or ischaemic, stroke
is caused by a blockage in the blood vessels supplying the brain. It can cause
symptoms including facial weakness, arm weakness and problems speaking. But it
is estimated that under 1% of stroke patients in the UK currently receive drugs
to reduce the risk of further clots.

Assessment

During the latest trial, patients were examined when they arrived at hospital
within six hours of developing symptoms of a stroke. Half were given normal
fluids through a drip, while the others received normal fluids and NXY-059. Lead
researcher Professor Kennedy Lees said: "Patients who were given this new drug
were more likely to have made a full recovery from stroke after three months.
"Their odds of avoiding disability were about 20% better if they were given
NXY-059."

Professor Lees said the results showed it was possible to treat stroke later
than three hours after symptoms had started. They also suggested that the drug
could cut the increased risk of bleeding associated with clot-busting drugs. The
researchers said that the effect was relatively modest for individual patients,
but since the treatment could be given to so many people it could have a
profound effect on the numbers left disabled. Professor Lees said: "This trial
opens up new horizons for treatment of one of the most important conditions
affecting our society."

Exciting results

David Clark, chief executive of the charity Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland,
said the results of the trial were "very exciting". "About half of all stroke
survivors have some significant disability, so anything which reduces this
disability is potentially of great benefit, especially as this has the potential
to be developed as a routine treatment in all stroke units." Joe Korner, of the
Stroke Association said: "The potential of this drug is very interesting and
could provide another tool for health professionals in the treatment of acute
stroke. "It's not yet clear exactly how this might benefit individuals but what
we do know is that the quicker a stroke patient receives expert diagnosis and is
admitted into a stroke unit the better their outcome. "It may take many years
for this drug to come onto the market. "Stroke is a medical emergency and the
public must be more aware of the symptoms so they can receive the many
treatments already available. "A key to this will be increasing public
knowledge of stroke symptoms."



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