New Drug Reduces Brain Damage After Stroke by 60%

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a drug capable of significantly reducing brain tissue damage following a stroke. In mouse experiments, administering a compound called acidic dimethyl succinate (aDSM) during blood flow restoration reduced the extent of brain injury by 60%. The study was published in the journal Cardiovascular Research.

One of the key challenges in stroke treatment is not only removing the blockage to restore blood flow but also managing the consequences of its sudden return. When oxygen re-enters the tissue, it triggers a burst of free radicals, increasing inflammation and damaging DNA—even after successful thrombectomy.

Scientists found that the primary destructive mechanism is driven by the oxidation of succinate, a compound that accumulates in cells. The drug aDSM prevents this process by crossing the blood-brain barrier, thanks to its mildly acidic nature.

The smaller the volume of damaged tissue, the higher the chances of preserving speech, motor skills, and cognitive functions, the researchers emphasized. The drug is currently being tested by the startup Camoxis Therapeutics. In the future, the technology may also be used for other conditions involving ischemia and rapid reperfusion—such as myocardial infarction or organ transplantation.

Previously, scientists also reported the development of an algorithm capable of predicting the risk of stroke and heart attack by analyzing images of the retina, identifying vascular abnormalities with up to 70% accuracy.

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