London, July 26 (ANI): A protein can help reduce the amount of brain damage from a stroke - even when it was administered up to 12 hours later.
Researchers from Stanford University in the U.S say this protein alpha-B-crystallin can help thousands of survivors retain the ability to eat, dress or walk unaided, greatly improving life for them and their carers, reports the Daily Mail.
They say that the brain makes the protective protein during the stroke.
However, it just does not make enough. In experiments, mice lacking alpha-B-crystallin suffered worse strokes than other rodents. Their brains were more damaged and they were left more disabled.
The researchers also showed that giving the protein to mice that had had strokes cut the amount of brain damage - even when it was administered up to 12 hours later.
Other tests showed that alpha-B-crystallin cut production of damaging inflammatory immune chemicals and boosted levels of protective ones. What is more, the protein did not have side effects.
Researcher Dr Gary Steinberg said: "This is a naturally occurring molecule the body is already producing, although maybe just not enough of it. We're just supplementing it."
The study has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (ANI)
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