Nottingham scientists lead £2.6m clinical trial into strokes

Nottingham scientists have begun an international study to investigate the effectiveness of tranexamic acid in intracererbral haemorrhage sufferers.

The team at the University of Nottingham of has been awarded £2.6 million by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) Programme.

Roughly 15,000 people in Britain suffer a stroke every year, with the majority of these caused by blocked blood vessels in the brain. These can be treated successfully with clot-busting drugs administered within 4. 5 hours of a stroke.

Despite this, 15 per cent of all strokes are triggered by haemorrhagic stroke when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, resulting in permanent damage. At the moment, there is no specific treatment for this condition, meaning that many people are at risk.

Even those who do survive are often left with debilitating disabilities, such as paralysis and speech problems.

Some 2,000 people will be recruited from 120 hospitals and stroke units as part of the quantitative analysis.

As part of the trial, those diagnosed as suffering bleeding on the brain will be given the chance to participate, while those who are too ill to make a decision will have their families decide.

Dr Nikola Sprigg in the University’s division of stroke, said: "This is potentially very exciting — this drug could offer new hope for a condition for which there is currently no effective treatment.

"If successful, it could potentially improve the lives of thousands of people with haemorrhagic stroke, preventing deaths and reducing disability to increase their chances of leading a full and independent life."

Half of those who sign up will be given the drug within eight hours of their stroke, while the remaining participants will receive a placebo, before their progress is carefully monitored in hospital over the following week.

Posted by Ben Evans