Millions of people are affected by strokes every year. Since the flow of blood gets blocked to the brain, it could lead to paralysis. Current therapies include varied types of physical therapy and motor function recovery where the duration varies from time to time.

A research team led by Yokohama City University and Toyama Chemical Co Ltd in Japan has developed a small compound named edonerpic maleate that showed enhanced recovery of motor function after brain damage in animal trials. The research team further determined that in conjunction with rehabilitative training, edonerpic maleate binds to an intracellular protein called collapsin-response-mediator-protein 2 (CRMP2), which would increase the potential for signal transmissions and neuron responses.

Edonerpic maleate will have to complete three phases of successful trials before being commercially available. The Phase 2 trial of the drug is currently under process.

Professor Takuya Takahashi the lead author of this research work from Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine said, “I hope this drug will help a lot of patients who suffer from paralysis after stroke.”

The research was done in collaboration with Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, and the National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health, and Nutrition.