Researchers on the verge of developing a new treatment for stroke

Currently used in stroke tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). It dissolves thrombi and normalizes blood flow in patients. However, this method increases the risk of hemorrhage, and cerebral edema. In addition, tPA must be administered within three hours after stroke.

Employees Joslin Diabetes Center conducted a study on mice with blood clots in the brain. Experts used a combination of drugs that included tPA. The researchers claim that the new method is much safer and more effective than existing at the moment.

Scientists injected experimental animals after stroke tPA and inhibitor of plasma kallikrein. With this treatment the mice had less bleeding, edema, and brain damage in comparison to the control group not treated with the inhibitor. tPA was working on plasma kallikrein with a blood coagulation factor XII.