Ischemic Stroke: Treatments to Improve Neuronal Functional Recovery in vitro

The understanding of the neurophysiological processes that occur in the areas that surround the core of a brain infarct is crucial for the creation of new therapies and treatments to improve neuronal recovery. The present study aims to demonstrate that both rodent and human neuronal networks lose their activity under low oxygen conditions and that electrical stimulation can increase the probability of recovery. Hypoxia was induced in rodent and human neurons and the effects of electrical stimulation were assessed in the rat cultures. The results obtained show that neuronal activation, in the form of electrical stimulation, has the potential to maintain the networks at higher levels of activity and, therefore, to improve cell survival. This study will open the way for new treatment strategies based on brain-stimulation to enhance neuronal recovery and will be of large relevance for patients, families, and society.