Ischemic Stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of adult long-term disability and the third leading cause of death in the U.S. An estimated 800,000 Americans and 1.1 million Europeans are affected by stroke annually. It is estimated that 5 million stroke survivors are living today in the U.S.
of whom 20%, or one million individuals, are disabled.

Stroke occurs when part of the brain is deprived of adequate oxygen.
There are two kinds of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, usually by a blood clot. The majority (87%) of strokes are ischemic. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by the bleeding of ruptured blood vessels in the brain.

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BrainsGate is developing a treatment for acute ischemic stroke based on its proprietary SPG stimulation technology. It is known that electrical stimulation of the SPG induces cerebral vasodilatation and augments cerebral perfusion.

BrainsGate has shown using animal models that this can help improve stroke outcome even when initiated within the first 24 hours following stroke onset. The increase in blood flow to the brain is expected to increase collateral blood flow, bypassing the blocked section of the cerebral artery and bringing needed oxygen to damaged areas of the brain.

Moreover, the vasodilation observed following SPG stimulation is known to be mediated via the release of Nitric Oxide (NO) as well as other neurotransmiters from nerve fibers. NO is known to reduce infarct size after focal cerebral ischemia and to promote neurogenesis in the adult brain, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits of NO both for neuroprotection during early stages and for neural regeneration and rehabilitation during late stages.