Stroke research 'may lead to new treatments'

Scientists have identified the natural protection mechanism which is activated in some of the brain's nerve cells during stroke.

Research published in the Journal of Neuroscience aimed to understand why some nerve cells in the hippocampus are resistant to stroke-induced damage while others are not.

It was found that CA3 cells contain a mechanism for reducing susceptibility to stroke damage during the cardiovascular event which the CA1 cells do not.

These discoveries could lead to the development of treatments to protect other nerve cell types, potentially enabling stroke patients to retain speech and movement.

Study leader Dr Jack Mellor, from the University of Bristol, said: "We hope that if we can understand why some nerve cells are resistant to stroke damage we may be able to develop strategies to protect those cells that are sensitive."

In other news, risk of stroke could be higher among depressed individuals.

A paper published in journal Stroke revealed that a history of depression was linked with a 29 per cent increased risk of total stroke.

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