Endogenous defense mechanism-based neuroprotection in large-vessel acute ischemic stroke: A hope for future

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and a leading cause of disability. None of the neuroprotective agents have been approved internationally except edaravone in Japanese guidelines in acute ischemic stroke. We here discuss that there are two types of endogenous defense mechanisms (EDMs) after acute stroke for neuromodulation and neuroregeneration, and if both can be activated simultaneously, then we can have better recovery in stroke.

We aimed to study the effect of combination of neuroprotection therapies acting on the two wings of EDM in acute large-vessel middle cerebral artery (LMCA) ischemic stroke.

Sixty patients of LMCA stroke were enrolled and randomized within 72 h into two groups of 30 patients each. The control group received standard medical care without any neuroprotective agents while the intervention group received standard medical care combined with oral citicoline with vinpocetine for 3 months with initial 1 week intravenous and edaravone and cerebrolysin injection, started within 72 h of onset of stroke. Patients were assessed on the basis of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Fugl-Meyer Assessment Score, Glasgow Coma Scale, and Mini-Mental Status Examination at admission, discharge, and after 90 days.

The intervention group showed significant and early improvements in motor as well as cognitive recovery.

Combination therapy for neuroprotection which is acting on two pathways of EDM can be useful in functional recovery after acute ischemic stroke.