UCLA scientists create medicine that restores movement after stroke

Scientists at the University of California Los Angeles have developed a groundbreaking drug that could change stroke recovery forever.

UCLA researchers create stroke recovery drug

Called DDL 920, the medication is the first to fully restore motor function without the need for long term physical therapy.

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability because most patients do not fully recover from the effects of stroke.

There are no drugs in the field of stroke recovery, requiring stroke patients to undergo physical rehabilitation which has shown to be only modestly effective.

Dr. S. Thomas Carmichael, the study’s lead author and professor and chair of UCLA Neurology, said the medicine marks a breakthrough in stroke rehabilitation, one led by molecular medicine rather than conventional therapy.

Trials using mice

In laboratory trials on mice models of stroke and with stroke patients, using DDL 920, scientists successfully repaired brain damage and restored lost neural connections.

Path forward for groundbreaking stroke recovery drug

The team is now preparing to begin human testing.

According to the World Health Organization, every year, strokes affect more than 15 million people worldwide, and many survivors are left with long term physical effects.

Current treatments mainly focus on preventing further strokes, but none directly reverse the damage caused by the stroke.

While the drug is still in its infancy stages, its potential has already sparked excitement across the medical community.

Experts believe it could transform the way we approach not just stroke recovery, but also other brain injuries and degenerative conditions in the future.