Potential Stroke Treatment Developed from Vampire Bats

Research is investigating the potential use of a plasminogen activator derived from vampire bats to treat individuals experiencing an acute ischemic stroke.

The protein belongs to a substance class that supports the breakdown of blood clots. If approved, this novel thrombolytic agent could be administered up to 9 hours after stroke symptom onset, dramatically extending the treatment window.

Marshall L. Nash, MD, FAHA, CPI is currently conducting Phase 3 of the clinical trial at Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA and DeKalb Medical in Decatur, GA.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the world and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability. Most acute ischemic stroke patients arrive after the 3-hour time window for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration, which is currently the only FDA-approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke.

For more information, please visit www.neurostudies.net.