New Stroke Clinical Trial in Cleveland, Ohio

Case Western Researchers take notes about insulin therapy for stroke preventionAt Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, a study is being conducted to determine the effectiveness of insulin therapy in preventing future strokes or heart attacks among non-diabetic patients who have recently suffered an ischemic stroke. The insulin therapy drug being used in this clinical trial is known as pioglitazone and is a currently recruiting interventional study for patients age 40 and up that had a recent episode of an ischemic stroke.

An ischemic stroke is the result of a deficiency in blood supply to part of the brain, resulting in an ischemic cascade and dysfunction of the brain tissue in the affected area. As oxygen and glucose are used up in the ischemic brain tissue, there is a breakdown of processes that require energy to function.

These processes are needed by cell tissue for their survival. Once these processes no longer operate, there is a domino effect of resulting episodes that cause cell death and damage. Stroke terminates the availability of oxygen and glucose, leading to cell death and energy depletion. If deprived of oxygen (carried by the blood stream) for more than 60 to 90 seconds, brain tissue loses its ability to function. After about three hours of oxygen deprivation, the brain suffers irreversible injury and possible brain infarction (tissue death).

Those patients with hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) have increased stroke mortality independent of age, severity of stroke, or stroke type. Managing sugar levels in the body is crucial to one’s health, and therefore insulin therapy may not just be for diabetes patients, but rather for those who need assistance in taking up glucose from their bloodstream and storing is properly.

The purpose of the study at Case Western Reserve University is to determine the effectiveness of insulin therapy on patients who have recently suffered an ischemic stroke. Such patients experienced a termination of glucose availability in their brain and may need post-stroke medical intervention in order to properly manage glucose uptake from the blood and storage in the liver and muscle. Case Western is recognized by many as one of the top clinical Research facilities in Ohio.

Insulin is a hormone that is made naturally by the pancreas. Insulin is necessary for the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. Liver, fat tissue and muscle cells filter glucose from the blood and store it as glycogen in the liver and muscle. This process functions accordingly because of the guidance of insulin. Those who no longer produce insulin (type I diabetes patients) and those with insulin resistance and/or low insulin production (type II diabetes patients) may rely on exogenous insulin for survival.

Located near public transportation stops, museums and eateries, Case Western Reserve University conducts clinical trials in Cleveland and is conveniently accessible. As one of the nation’s most venerated medical school programs, its faculty and students conduct esteemed research and make breakthrough discoveries. Located in University Circle, Case Western Reserve University is surrounded by paramount educational institutions and is only four miles away from downtown Cleveland.