Natural Protein Reduces Brain Damage Caused by Stroke

Reported by www.voanews.com; The protein is called alpha-B-crystallin and, in mice, appears to be effective up to 12 hours after stroke occurs.

In most cases of stroke, a blood vessel in the brain becomes clogged, cutting off the supply of oxygen and nutrients to brain tissue. Within a short time, brain tissue begins to die. The only treatment is a clot buster called tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA. But it is only useful when given in the first hours after a stroke. Also tPA doesn't work against the next part of a stroke event, when immune system cells rush in to protect the brain but actually promote dangerous inflammation.

To continue to read about the study co-senior authored by Dr. Gary Steinberg of Stanford University's medical school follow the "news" link.