Scientists have identified nerve cells in people’s brains that do not get damaged during a stroke and believe they could hold the key to protecting other cells that are starved of oxygen in such an event.

Researchers at the University of Bristol found that some nerve cells in the brain are immune to damage following the drop in blood supply and nutrients that occurs during a stroke when blood vessels in the head rupture.

The study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, analysed two types of nerve cell in an area of the brain associated with memory and navigation called the hippocampus. Researchers hope the findings could lead to new ways of treating the third largest killer in the UK, which can restrict the ability to move or speak for those who survive a stroke.

Dr Jack Mellor, from the university’s School of Physiology and Pharmacology, who led the research, said: ‘We hope that if we can understand why some nerve cells are resistant to stroke damage we may be able to develop strategies to protect those cells that are sensitive.

‘Historically, stroke has been very difficult to treat because of its unpredictability and the need to administer drugs within minutes of the onset of a stroke. These problems will not be overcome by our research but our findings do reveal a natural protection mechanism in some nerve cells, which may be useful in developing treatments to protect other nerve cell types.

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-news/cells-resistant-to-stroke-damage/