Ischemic stroke happens when a clot blocks blood flow to part of the brain, killing brain cells within minutes. It's the most common type of stroke, affecting about 700,000 Americans each year. Current treatment focuses on dissolving clots quickly with tPA or removing them mechanically, then preventing another stroke with blood thinners and managing risk factors like high blood pressure.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing neuroprotective drugs that might save brain cells during and after a stroke, extended time windows for clot removal, new anticoagulants that balance stroke prevention against bleeding risk, and rehabilitation approaches including brain stimulation and robotics. Researchers are also studying biomarkers that predict recovery and testing stem cell therapies aimed at repairing stroke damage.
Neuroprotection
Multiple drugs are being tested to protect brain cells from dying when blood flow is cut off. The goal is to extend the window for treatment and reduce disability even when clots can't be removed immediately.
Extended treatment windows
Studies are testing whether clot removal works beyond the current six-hour window in selected patients. Advanced imaging helps identify people whose brains might still benefit from late intervention.
Recovery and repair
Trials are testing whether stem cells, growth factors, or brain stimulation can help rebuild damaged circuits. The focus is on restoring movement, speech, and daily function months or years after stroke.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on time since stroke, stroke severity and location, prior strokes, other medical conditions, and current medications including blood thinners.
What types of trials are currently open
- Acute treatment trials — Testing new clot-dissolving drugs, expanded time windows for intervention, or combinations of treatments given in the emergency room or during hospitalization.
- Prevention trials — Testing anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, or combinations to prevent a second stroke, especially in people with atrial fibrillation or other clotting disorders.
- Neuroprotection trials — Testing drugs or cooling techniques aimed at protecting brain cells from dying during and immediately after stroke.
- Rehabilitation trials — Testing physical therapy approaches, brain stimulation, robotics, and drugs to improve recovery of movement, speech, and thinking.
- Registry studies — Following stroke patients over time to understand what predicts good recovery and what factors lead to another stroke.
Recently added Ischemic Stroke trials
kTMP-Enhanced Motor Rehabilitation for Chronic Stroke Recovery (KULMINATE) Pilot
kTMP, kilohertz transcutaneous magnetic perturbations, is a low intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation technique that will be used in this study to promote arm/hand rehabilitation in patients who have been disabled by stroke.
HBO After Thrombectomy for AIS With LVO
The purpose of this RCT trial is to evaluate whether the sequential hyperbaric oxygen therapy can improve the 90-day functional outcome in patients with acute large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke after endovascular treatment.
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