The influence of neurotrophic factors treatment on stroke volume

Abstract

Background. Cerebrolysin is a multimodal drug, with pleiotropic neuroprotective effects that simultaneously promotes neuroprotection while retaining the ability to influence neuroplasticity. Cerebrolysin is approved for the treatment of stroke, traumatic brain injury and cognitive dysfunction. Methods. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in sixty patients with acute supratentorial ischemic stroke. The patients were randomized to either Cerebrolysin 30 ml/day (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) in a 1:1 manner. The treatment period was 10 days. Stroke volume was measured in the first 24 hours after stroke onset using diffusion-weighted images, and it was measured again at 30 days after stroke using fluid attenuated inversion recovery images. Results. A significant reduction of stroke volume at 30 days was demonstrated in both Cerebrolysin- and placebo treated patients (p < 0.001). Although it was not statistically significant a better response in stroke volume reduction was observed in the Cerebrolysin-treated group, compared to the placebo group (Mann Whitney test, U = 426, p = 0.723, mean rank, 29.70 vs. 31,30). Interpretation. We demonstrated a positive effect from Cerebrolysin treatment to reduce ischemic stroke volume.