[Brain attack in Japan, now and future]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Medical Imaging

Context:

• Japan possesses advanced diagnostic imaging, including MRI, in stroke centers.
• The number of MRI units in Japan is double that of the U.S.A.
• Existing research indicates the effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy for acute cerebral infarction.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy for acute cerebral infarction in Japan.
• To establish evidence-based medicine for Japanese stroke patients using a robust database.
• To explore extended therapeutic time windows for stroke treatment.

Summary:

• The Japan Standard Stroke Registry Study (JSSR) registered 2,740 acute stroke cases, demonstrating high diagnostic accuracy.
• Thrombolytic therapy using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) or urokinase showed effectiveness within 6 hours.
• An estimated 10,000 stroke patients annually in Japan could benefit from rt-PA treatment.

Impact:

• The findings support the potential for effective ultra-acute stroke treatment in Japan.
• The study highlights the importance of a national stroke registry for evidence-based medicine.
• Newly developed treatments like edaravine may extend therapeutic time windows for stroke patients.