New research sheds light on underlying cause of brain injury in stroke

New research sheds light on underlying cause of brain injury in stroke
Single oligodendrocyte cell in green and the myelin it produces in red. These are the structures protected by the new drug, QNZ-46. Credit: University of Plymouth

New research shows how the novel drug QNZ-46 can help to lessen the effects of excess release of glutamate in the brain – the main cause of brain injury in stroke.

Published in Nature Communications, the study shows how identifying the source of damaging in leads to discovery of brain protection with QNZ-46, a novel form of preventative treatment with clinical potential.

Existing studies show that restricted blood supply promotes the excess release of glutamate. The glutamate binds to receptors, over-stimulating them and leading to the break-down of myelin – the protective sheath around the nerve fibre (axon).

Previous studies had focused on the brain's grey – the area where all of the synapses operate. Now the new study focuses on – the part of the brain the connects all of the grey matter together – and demonstrates that the from axons themselves contributes to damaging myelin.

The study, led by Professor Robert Fern at the Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry (PUPSMD), is the first direct comparison of vesicular fusion within different cellular components in white matter, and it reveals extensive fusion in axons – a mechanism previously thought to be absent from white matter.

The findings support a rational approach toward a low-impact prophylactic therapy, such as QNZ-46, to protect patients at risk of stroke and other forms of excitotoxic injury (injury caused by excess glutamate).

As stroke is the second leading cause of disability and early death in the UK, Professor Fern, part of the University's Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, explains the significance of the findings.

"Strokes are known to be caused by loss of blood to the brain, and there has been no way to treat the condition," he said.

"As much as rehabilitation can be effective, there's nothing you can do to heal the damage. This is why it has been necessary to look at how the problem is caused in the first place.

"Myelin damage results in severe functional deficit in the white matter of the , for example in ischemic – caused by lack of – stroke. By identifying how this happens, we have been able to show how QNZ-46 can be used to prevent the damage.

"There need to be further studies to fully understand how these findings can translate going forward, but to see that there are no negative side effects at this stage is a promising sign. By continuing further studies, we can come up with even better forms of the drug to help in stroke treatment."

More information: Sean Doyle et al. Vesicular glutamate release from central axons contributes to myelin damage, Nature Communications (2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03427-1

Journal information: Nature Communications
Citation: New research sheds light on underlying cause of brain injury in stroke (2018, March 15) retrieved 24 April 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-03-underlying-brain-injury.html
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