Stroke is the leading cause of a serious long-term disability in adults as a result of the damage it inflicts on the brain. Now, a new study implies there might be a possibility to trigger the brain tissue to repair itself after stroke.
A study led by researchers from the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) and published in Nature Neurology recognized a molecule known as growth differentiation factor 10 (GDF10) that signals brain tissue to form new connections following a stroke. The senior author of the study is a neurologist and neuroscientist, professor and vice chair for research and programs in UCLA's department of neurology named S. Thomas Carmichael. He and his colleagues believe their findings will pave the way to new treatments in order to help patients to recover brain function after stroke.
Prof. Carmichael said that their study is the first to identify that the molecule, GDF10 has a function in the adult brain. He explained the importance of their findings saying that the brain has a limited capacity for recovery following a stroke. Most patients who suffer a stroke get better after their first stroke, but only a small number recover. The authors believe that if they can identify the signs that can lead to why there is only a limited recovery after a stroke, then they may be able to turn it into a treatment to enhance brain repair post stroke.
The researchers discovered that GDF10 shows itself to encourage brain cells to make new connections. According to Prof. Carmichael they have found that GDF10 promotes new connections to form in the brain after stroke, and this helps the recovery of the ability to control movement. After identifying the systems that control the process of creating new connections, the team then located the molecules that GDF10 switches on and off in brain cells after a stroke.
