The new method, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, is based on reducing brain damage significantly reducing the concentration of glutamate, the excitatory neurotransmitter agent used by neurons to communicate with the brain.

Stroke, as stroke are among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, yet there are no effective therapeutic measures. Brain damage is caused by the uncontrolled release of glutamate from the cell, which in large quantities is very toxic to neurons.

The therapeutic, tested in animals, is based on reducing glutamate levels in the blood by a peritoneal dialysis employed, for example, to treat kidney failure. The result is a lowering of the levels of the toxic agent in the interstitial fluid of the brain. According to investigators, the peritoneal dialysis has the advantage that can be implemented when the patient reaches the hospital.

"Though we are required relevant clinical trials, the simplicity and effectiveness of this therapeutic strategy makes transfer to clinical practice might come up in a short time," says Juan Lerma, CSIC researcher at the Institute of Neuroscience in Alicante , a joint center of the CSIC and the University Miguel Hernández. "Reducing the levels of glutamate in the blood can reach brain drain areas where there is high," said Labour directors José Sánchez-Prieto, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, and Ignacio Lizasoain, Complutense University of Madrid .

  • Godino MC, Romera VG, Sánchez-Tomero JA, Pacheco J, Canals S, Lerma J, Vivancos J, Moro MA, Torres M, Lizasoain I y Sánchez-Prieto J. Amelioration of ischemic brain damage by peritoneal dialysis, J Clin. Invest. DOI: 10.1172/JCI67284.

Fotografía By Bobjgalindo (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons