UCLA Researchers Develop First Drug to Mimic Stroke Rehabilitation Effects

Researchers at UCLA Health have achieved a groundbreaking breakthrough in stroke recovery treatment by developing a novel drug that replicates the effects of physical rehabilitation. This pioneering discovery was detailed in a recent publication in Nature Communications. Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability among adults, with many patients experiencing incomplete recovery. Currently, physical therapy is the primary intervention, yet its intensive nature often limits patient participation and overall effectiveness. The absence of approved pharmacological options underscores the need for innovative solutions. Dr. S. Thomas Carmichael, a neurology professor at UCLA and the study's principal investigator, emphasized the potential impact of this development: "Our goal is to create a medication that functions like physical rehab, offering an alternative or supplement to traditional therapy." The research involved studying how physical therapy facilitates brain healing post-stroke, utilizing both animal models and human subjects. Findings revealed that stroke damages not only the affected brain region but also disrupts neural connections elsewhere, impairing brain net...