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Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Article Date: 22 Feb 2012 - 5:00 PST

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A study in rats has found that a new medication called clazosentan, may be effective in blocking the harmful effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans April 21 to April 28, 2012.

Michael Kaufman, study author, a second year medical student at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, and member of the American Academy of Neurology, explained:

"There are currently no primary treatments for TBI, so this research provides hope that effective treatments can be developed."

Christian Kreipke, MD, also with Wayne State University School of Medicine, is lead researcher on the study.

TBI results in restricted blood flow in the cerebrum of the brain, which can ultimately cause permanent cell dysfunction and death. As early as four hours following a brain injury, a receptor in the brain called endothelin receptor A (ETrA) contributes to decreasing blood flow. Scientists believe that the new drug clazosentan specifically blocks ETrA.

Through an intravenous (IV) line, the team administered clazosentan to brain-injured rats at multiple time periods after TBI. The researchers then used an MRI brain scan to measure the rat's blood flow in the hippocampus and sensory motor cortex and examined their behavior in learning a maze.

Four hours after TBI, results showed that the drug lowered the effects of the TBI on blood flow to the hippocampus by 25% and 23% at 48 hours. The researchers found that some rats improved when given the drug 12 hours post-TBI, while others remained the same or worsened. Results showed that the most effective time to administer clazosentan was 2 hours post-injury and again at 24 hours. When the medication was given at 2 and 24 hours post-injury, the rats also performed better on the maze test.

Kaufman, said:

"This research is the foundation for future clinical trials that will investigate the possibilities of using clazosentan in the treatment of TBI."

The study was funded by the American Academy of Neurology, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the National Institutes of Health.

To learn more about traumatic brain injury, click here.

Written by Grace Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
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Traumatic Brain Injury - Clazosentan May Block Harmful Effects