New study: Lost brain function restored after stroke

Source: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/new-study-lost-brain-function-restored-after-stroke Parent: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/research-and-innovation/focus-areas/strategic-research-areas/nanoscience

Published 30 November 2023

Images of brain scans

Researchers have succeeded in restoring lost brain function in mouse models of stroke using small molecules that in the future could potentially be developed into a stroke recovery therapy. “Communication between nerve cells in large parts of the brain changes after a stroke and we show that it can be partially restored with the treatment”, says Tadeusz Wieloch, senior professor of neurobiology at Lund University in Sweden.

“Concomitantly, the rodents regain lost somatosensory functions, something that around 60 per cent of all stroke patients experience today. The most remarkable result is that the treatment began several days after a stroke,” Wieloch continues. \ \ In an ischemic stroke, lack of blood flow to the brain causes damage, which rapidly leads to nerve cell loss that affects large parts of the the vast network of nerve cells in the brain. This may lead to loss of function such as paralysis, sensorimotor impairment and vision and speech difficulties, but also to pain and depression. There are currently no approved drugs that improve or restore the functions after a stroke, apart from clot-dissolving treatment in the acute phase (within 4.5 hours of the stroke). Some spontaneous improvements occur, but many stroke patients suffer chronic loss of function. For example, about 60 per cent of stroke sufferers, experience lost somatosensori functions such as touch and position sense.

An international study published recently in the journal Brain and led by a research team from Lund University in collaboration with University of Rome La Sapeinza and Washington University at St. Louis, shows promising results in mice and rats that were treated with a class of substances that inhibit the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR5), a receptor that regulates communication in the brain’s nerve cell network.

“Rodents treated with the GluR5 inhibitor regained their somatosensori functions,” says Tadeusz Wieloch, who led the study published in BRAIN.

Two days after the stroke, i.e. when the damage had developed and function impairment was most prominent, the researchers started treating the rodents that exhibited the greatest impaired function.

“A temporary treatment effect was seen after just 30 minutes, but treatment for several weeks is needed to achieve a permanent recovery effect. Some function improvement was observed even when the treatment started 10 days after a stroke,” says Tadeusz Wieloch.

Importantly, sensorimotor functions improved, even though the extent of the brain damage was not diminished. This, explains Tadeusz Wieloch, is due to the intricate network of nerve cells in the brain, known as the connectome, i.e. how various areas of the brain are connected and communicate with each to form the basis for various brain functions.

“Impaired function after a stroke is due to cell loss, but also because of reduced activity in large parts of the connectome in the undamaged brain. The receptor mGluR5 is apparently an important factor in the reduced activity in the connectome, which is prevented by the inhibitor which therefore restores the lost brain function,” says Tadeusz Wieloch.

The results also showed that sensorimotor function was further improved if treatment with the mGluR5 inhibitor is combined with somatosensory training by housing several rodents in cages enriched with toys, chains, grids, and plastic tubes.

The researchers hope that in the future their results could lead to a clinical treatment that could be initiated a few days after an ischemic stroke.

“Combined with rehabilitation training, it could eventually be a new promising treatment. However, more studies are needed. The study was conducted on mice and rats, and of course needs to be repeated in humans. This should be possible since several mGluR5 inhibitors have been studied in humans for the treatment of neurological diseases other than stroke, and shown to be tolerated by humans,” says Tadeusz Wieloch.

The research is conducted with support from the Swedish Research Council, Alborada Trust, Hans-Gabriel and Alice Wachtmeister Foundation, and Multipark Strategic Research Area.

Publication:

Link to the article in Brain:\ \ Inhibiting metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 after stroke restores brain function and connectivity

Contact:

\ Tadeusz Wieloch, senior professor in neurobiology at Lund University\ +46 705129695\ Tadeusz [dot] wieloch [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (Tadeusz[dot]wieloch[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)

Latest news

Link to RSS

[9 Mar 2026

### A drop that saves eyesight in infants

Research shows that eye drops containing cortisone can prevent the development of the very serious eye disease ROP in infants.](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/drop-saves-eyesight-infants) - [6 Mar 2026

### Industrial policy crucial for the continued development of green steel

Sweden's investments in climate-friendly green steel are a potential driving force for both European competitiveness and energy independence. However, without a sustainable,…](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/industrial-policy-crucial-continued-development-green-steel) - [2 Mar 2026

### Large forest fire emissions are hidden underground

Researchers at Lund University have produced the most detailed map of carbon emissions from Swedish forest fires to date. The results show that the largest emissions occur below…](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/large-forest-fire-emissions-are-hidden-underground) - [26 Feb 2026

### New research identifies potential treatment target in fatty liver disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) can cause more serious liver conditions, such as liver failure. A new study, led by Lund University in Sweden,…](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/new-research-identifies-potential-treatment-target-fatty-liver-disease) - [26 Feb 2026

### Lipid molecules reorganise at drying interfaces

Minor changes in moisture level can promote lipid molecules to reorganise themselves in biomaterial or biomembranes. This can affect how the skin, lungs and tear film protect us…](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/lipid-molecules-reorganise-drying-interfaces)

All news