Receptor strategy for brain ischemia

A U.S. team has devised a way to prevent neurological damage caused by ischemia by agonizing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.¹ The findings open a new indication for at least two biotechs, Targacept Inc. and EnVivo Pharmaceuticals Inc., which along with Roche have agonists of those receptors in clinical development for cognitive disorders.

Cerebral ischemia typically occurs when cardiac arrest cuts off the blood supply to the brain. Even if the heart is restarted through cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillation, a brief episode of cerebral ischemia "sets off a cascade of proinflammatory markers and cytokines that lead to permanent damage to brain cells," said Patrick Lippiello, senior principal scientist at Targacept...