Tech & Science
Nasal Spray Shows Promise in Reducing Brain Cell Death After Stroke
A new nasal spray developed in Hong Kong could protect brain cells immediately after a stroke, potentially offering a pre-hospital emergency treatment.
Scientists in Hong Kong have created what they describe as the world's first nasal spray capable of shielding brain cells the moment a stroke occurs. The innovation, which they believe could become a new "emergency rescue tool," is designed to be administered before a patient reaches the hospital.
Stroke remains a leading global cause of death and disability, placing an annual financial burden on health systems that exceeds $890 billion. Current treatments, which rely on clot-dissolving drugs and reperfusion therapies, only begin once a patient is admitted to a hospital. The window for effective intervention is extremely narrow, leaving more than 85% of patients unable to receive timely care.
Overcoming a Key Biological Barrier
A major hurdle for stroke drugs has been the blood-brain barrier, a protective shield that prevents most medications from reaching the brain. Aviva Chow Shing Fung from the University of Hong Kong noted that the failure rate for drug candidates targeting the central nervous system in clinical trials surpasses 90%, largely because they cannot cross this barrier to exert their therapeutic effects.
To solve this, the team developed a spray called "Nanopowder." It contains neuroprotective drugs processed into ultra-fine, inhalable powders. When sprayed into the nasal cavity, the powder deposits in the target area and breaks down into nanoparticles. These tiny particles then travel along the pathway from the nose to the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier entirely.
Critical Time Savings
According to the researchers, administering the spray within 30 minutes of a stroke's onset can reduce brain tissue death by more than 80%. The treatment also protects neurological functions and body movements, reduces inflammation, prevents cell death, and maintains the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, potentially extending the available treatment window.
"After a stroke, every second counts. Even an extra 10 minutes of brain protection could determine whether a patient will be able to walk or speak in the future," said Shao Zitong, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Hong Kong. She explained that the key breakthrough is shifting stroke care from the "in-hospital" phase to the "pre-hospital" phase, enabling neuroprotection rather than just clot removal or dissolution.
