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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia
06:01

A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia

Published on: August 18, 2015

Balancing life and death in the ischemic brain: SIK and TORC weigh in

Eduardo F Gallo1, Costantino Iadecola

  • 1Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY.

Neuron
|March 8, 2011
PubMed

Insights

A novel survival pathway involving SIK2 kinase and TORC1 coactivator offers potent neuroprotection against ischemic brain injury. This discovery holds significant promise for developing new stroke therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • NMDA receptor activation during cerebral ischemia initiates complex signaling cascades.
  • These pathways can lead to either neuronal death or survival, influencing stroke outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate novel endogenous pathways that promote neuronal survival following ischemic events.
  • To identify molecular targets for therapeutic intervention in stroke.

Main Methods:

  • The study by Sasaki et al. utilized molecular and cellular techniques to explore signaling pathways.
  • Investigated the role of the kinase SIK2 and the CREB coactivator TORC1 in neuronal survival.

Main Results:

  • Identified a new endogenous neuroprotective pathway mediated by SIK2 and TORC1.
  • Demonstrated that this pathway confers powerful protection to neurons during cerebral ischemia.

Conclusions:

  • The SIK2-TORC1 pathway represents a critical endogenous mechanism for neuronal survival after stroke.
  • This pathway has significant translational potential for the development of novel stroke therapies.

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