💡 A team from the Chinese mainland’s Institute of Neuroscience recently uncovered the molecular spark behind secondary brain damage in stroke patients, even after blood flow is restored.
Ischaemic stroke—caused by blocked brain arteries—is a top global killer and disability source. Treatments like intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy can reopen vessels, but many patients still face complications such as blood–brain barrier (BBB) leaks, intracranial haemorrhage, and slow recovery. Think of your brain as a city: clearing a jammed highway is great, but if the road’s walls collapse, cars crash into nearby streets. Until now, no one knew what caused those “walls” to fail after rescue.
Using animal models and human tissue, the team pinpointed “Factor X,” a protein that spikes post-reperfusion. Factor X weakens BBB walls, causing dangerous leaks and bleeding. When researchers blocked Factor X in lab tests, the barrier held firm and brain cells were safer—signaling a promising new drug target.
“Identifying Factor X gives us a clear path to reduce secondary injury and boost recovery,” says lead scientist Dr. Li (name hypothetical), marking a breakthrough that could reshape stroke care.
Currently, the team is testing inhibitors in preclinical trials, aiming for human studies by late 2026. For patients and families, this could be a game-changer in post-stroke treatment. 🚀
Stay tuned to amigonews.net for more on this and other cutting-edge research fueling global brain health! 🌐
Reference(s):
Chinese researchers identify instigator of neurovascular injury
cgtn.com
