Hypothermia as a therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke

Abstract

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the world. Still, even nowadays, there are a limited number of treatments for these patients. Another problem is that successful stroke treatment requires rapid intervention. Because of such limitations, stroke treatments so far have had only a modest impact on the outcomes of patients. Brain or body cooling has been thought to be neuroprotective in several conditions. But, its potential benefits after stroke are still unknown. Dr. Saper's laboratory developed a way to promote deep hypothermia and reduced metabolic rate in mice, producing a state of suspended animation. This is possible due to manipulating a specific group thermoregulatory neurons that are located in the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) of the hypothalamus. We plan to use this technique to test whether lowering body temperature can improve outcomes after stroke. We suggest that this novel hypothermic method will slow tissue damage and neuroinflammation after stroke, allowing more time for effective surgical interventions. Thus, we anticipate that this new treatment will result better outcomes for stroke patients. (AU)