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Researchers to identify most promising stroke therapies for clinical trials


November 16, 2016



Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Canada, and is usually caused by a blood clot in the brain. Currently the only approved drug therapy is a protein called plasminogen activator (tPA), which dissolves the clot. However, researchers have found dozens of other compounds that can prevent brain cell death in animal models in combination with tPA. To get these therapies to patients faster, we need to prioritize which should go to clinical trials. Drs. David Moher and Dale Corbett were awarded $100,000 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to compare over 40 of these potential stroke treatments head-to-head in a systematic review. They hope their study will speed up the process of getting the most promising therapies to clinical trials.

Co-investigators: Avey, Marc T; Gray, Laura; Griffin, Gilly; Hakim, Antoine M; Hill, Michael D; Howells, David W; Hutton, Brian E; Lalu, Manoj M; Macleod, Malcolm; McCann, Sarah; Sena, Emily

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For further information, please contact


Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca