In 10 seconds? Researchers are testing the usefulness of the HIV drug maraviroc on stroke patients in a clinical trial following an unexpected discovery: the previously approved drug can speed up rehabilitation and cognitive function after traumatic brain injury.

Wow, how is that possible? Scientists have found that the CCR5 protein used by HIV to trick its way into human cells plays a role in the post-stroke recovery of the brain. More precisely, when they switched off the gene that produces the protein, they observed faster recovery in the motor and other skills in lab mice that suffered an induced stroke. The drug treatment helped even when it was administered three weeks after the stroke.

Continue reading

Try our 7-day free trial and access the full article with citations and resources.

Try For Free Already have an account? Sign in