A newly developed molecule, LK-2, could lead to new therapies for stroke-related brain injury, which is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Glutamate, a neurotransmitter, plays a key role in stroke-induced brain damage by overstimulating N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). Previous drugs targeting NMDARs have had limited success due to side effects, but the new molecule LK-2 selectively blocks the glutamate binding site in ASICs without affecting NMDARs. This discovery offers a promising new approach to protecting brain cells from glutamate toxicity and could be a significant breakthrough in stroke therapy. The research was led by Dr. Lu-Yang Wang at The Hospital for Sick Children.
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Novel molecule could inform new therapies for stroke-related brain injury
