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Currently,
studies are being done on additional drugs that dissolve clots. These drugs are
administered either in the veins (like tPA) or directly into the clogged artery.
The goal of these studies is to determine which stroke patients might benefit
from this new and aggressive form of treatment. New medications are also being
tested that help slow the degeneration of the nerve cells that are deprived of
oxygen during a stroke. These drugs are referred to as "neuroprotective" agents,
an example of which is sipatrigine. Another example is chlormethiazole, which
works by modifying the expression of genes within the brain. (Genes produce
proteins that determine an individual's makeup.) Finally, stem cells, which have
the potential to develop into a variety of different organs, are being used to
try to replace brain cells damaged by a previous stroke. In many academic
medical centers, some of these experimental agents may be offered in the setting
of a clinical trial. While new therapies for the treatment of patients after a
stroke are on the horizon, they are not yet perfect and may not restore complete
function to a stroke victim.
Stroke At A
Glance
* Stroke is
the sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen.
* Stroke is
caused by the blockage of blood flow or rupture of an artery to the
brain.
* Any person
suspected of having a stroke or TIA should be sent to an emergency room
immediately for further management and treatment.
* Sudden
tingling, weakness, or paralysis on one side of the body or difficulty with
balance, speaking, swallowing, or vision can be a symptom of a
stroke.
* A
suspected stroke can be confirmed by scanning the brain with special x-ray
tests, such as a CAT scan.
* Stroke
prevention involves minimizing risk factors, such as controlling high blood
pressure, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes.
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