It wouldn’t be exaggerating to say stroke is something of an epidemic. On average, in the U.S., someone dies of a stroke every three minutes and 11 seconds, and stroke deaths increased almost 30% between 2012 and 2022.
For the lucky few who survive the event, an almost insurmountable challenge lies ahead. Stroke is the leading cause of permanent disability in adults. Speech problems, strength and mobility issues and memory loss are just a few of the impacts of stroke.
Right now, no approved treatment reverses the damage caused by stroke in the U.S. But that hasn’t stopped researchers from trying. And one team may have hit upon a drug that could do the trick — and nip a few other diseases in the bud as well…
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GAI-17 could help heal stroke damage
Acute ischemic stroke is caused by blockage in an artery feeding blood to the brain, which cuts off its oxygen supply and causes cell damage and death.
Researchers in Japan developed a mouse model of acute ischemic stroke to investigate the role of toxic aggregation of the glycolytic enzyme, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). This multifunctional protein is associated with the development of many difficult-to-treat brain and nervous system diseases.
The mice were subjected to 30 minutes of ischemia (stroke) followed by periods of reperfusion, and researchers determined that ischemia-reperfusion-induced GAPDH aggregates led to cell death and paralysis in the mice. By creating a construct encoding human GAPDH-C152A, the team was able to inhibit the aggregation of mouse GAPDH.
Next, the researchers developed and optimized a GAPDH aggregation inhibitor (GAI) to see if using a drug to inhibit GAPDH aggregation could prevent ischemic brain damage and be a therapeutic approach for acute ischemic stroke.
When this inhibitor, known as GAI-17, was given to the mice with acute strokes, there was a significantly lower level of brain cell death and paralysis compared to untreated mice.
Considering that stroke is a condition in which time is essential for successful treatment, it’s promising that improvements were observed in the mice even when GAI-17 was administered six hours after the stroke.
And that’s not even all GAI-17 may do…
“The GAPDH aggregation inhibitor we have developed is expected to be a single drug that can treat many intractable neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease,” says Hidemitsu Nakajima, a professor at Osaka Metropolitan University who led the study team.
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Prevention and stroke support
To sum up, GAI-17 shielded mouse brains from stroke damage, restored movement, worked up to six hours after onset, and did so without harm. Plus, it may be used to treat various neurodegenerative diseases in addition to stroke.
It will be exciting to see if studies in humans reveal the same promising effects that could lead to an approved treatment.
In alternative medicine, many natural compounds have shown promise in helping survivors of stroke…
According to a preliminary study presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2024, ginkgo biloba may hold promise for patients recovering from ischemic stroke, particularly when it comes to recovering their cognitive ability.
So, it’s not at all surprising that IV preparations of ginkgo biloba’s active ingredients are widely used in China as a complementary treatment for ischemic stroke.
A study published in the journal Stroke found that both coffee and green tea have varying degrees of benefit for stroke survivors as well.
However, your best defense against stroke is a good offense. Taking steps to reduce your stroke risk includes:
- Quitting smoking: According to one study, people who smoked were 1.9 times more likely to have a severe stroke and 1.7 times more likely to have a mild to moderate stroke than people who were not smokers.
- Managing blood pressure: That same study found people with high blood pressure were 3.2 times more likely to have a severe stroke and 2.9 times more likely to have a mild to moderate stroke than people without high blood pressure.
- Controlling your blood sugar: Elevated blood sugar is a risk factor for stroke, so do your best to avoid developing diabetes.
- Eating a healthy diet: Avoid foods high in saturated fats, sodium and added sugars. This will help with managing blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol as well.
- Exercising: Physical inactivity can increase your stroke risk, so aim for at least a few days a week of moderate-intensity exercise, such as a brisk walk, a run, a bike ride, or a swim.
Sources:
Six-hour ‘undo’ button: GAI-17 rewinds stroke damage and may beat Alzheimer’s — ScienceDaily
Inhibition of GAPDH aggregation as a potential treatment for acute ischemic stroke — iScience
Heart Disease & Stroke Statistics 2025 Update — American Heart Association
Stroke Recovery: Dealing with Long-Term Disability After a Stroke — American Brain Foundation
Risk Factors Under Your Control — American Stroke Association
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