Transplantationstechnologien und Forschung

Restorative Therapy in Stroke

Abstract

Padma Srivastava MV and Ashu Bhasin

A variety of therapeutic approaches that could be considered neurorestorative are currently in clinical trials after stroke. There are essentially two varieties of restorative approaches. One is cell-based and includes stem cell transplantation with and without augmentation with growth factors and other variety is the pharmacological approach. These strategies are being explored for the ultimate aim to regain maximum restoration possible and eventual complete normalcy of function. Functional recovery post stroke may require new synaptic connections within and away from the damaged tissue. In an infracted area, the ischemic core may not respond to any pharmacological or rehabilitative intervention. For these reasons, the prospects of repairing the neuron system, using various putative restorative strategies seems promising and urgently required for further exploration, refinement and optimization. Ongoing animal and human trials have largely helped in burgeoning our hopes on this method of restorative therapy after stroke.