Growth hormone treatment could help stroke survivors to regain better cognitive abilities and help them recover from fatigue, according to an experimental study.
The study, based on research conducted by the University of Gothenburg, in Sweden, and the University of Newcastle, in Australia, shows for the first time a link between growth hormone treatment and improved cognition after a stroke.
Jörgen Isgaard, professor of endocrinology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, and professor at the University of Newcastle, said he hoped the mouse study, which is published in Stroke, will open the door to further clinical studies to test the use of human growth hormone as a treatment in the rehabilitation phase after a stroke.
The research saw mice, all of which had induced strokes, being treated with either an infusion of growth hormone or with placebo for four weeks.
In the last week of treatment, each animal was tested individually in separate cages with touch screens and was exposed to visual symbols in different combinations. If they responded with the correct pressure with a paw on the screen, they received a sugar solution reward.
The research team found the mice that had received the growth hormone performed correctly in eight out of 10 cases, compared with sic out of 10 for the control group.
The team also analysed a number of growth factors and biomarkers in the injured area of the brain and found that the growth hormone promoted plasticity in the brain and led to higher levels of new blood vessels, repair of nerve damage and reduced loss of brain tissue compared to controls.
Prof Isgaard said: “This has the potential to completely transform the treatment of people who survive a stroke.
“The most important new finding is that growth hormone improves cognition after a stroke compared with controls. If this finding holds true for humans, it can lead to a breakthrough in terms of treatment that facilitates rehabilitation and quality of life after a stroke.”
Researchers are now seeking funding to begin clinical trials.
Ong LK, Chow WZ, TeBay C et al. Growth Hormone Improves Cognitive Function After Experimental Stroke. Stroke June 2018; doi.org/10.1161/
http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/early/2018/04/09/STROKEAHA.117.020557
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