Optogenetics and stroke recovery - Stroke Association response

Research done by the Stanford University School of Medicine and published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science looked at a technique called optogenetic neuronal stimulation and stroke recovery. Scientists used light to target and stimulate the nerve cells in mice who had experienced strokes.

Dr Shamim Quadir, Research Communications Manager at the Stroke Association said:
“The Stroke Association is always keen to see research that could lead to new and effective treatments for stroke. This is a very interesting study using light to stimulate specific brain cells of genetically altered mice in the early days after a stroke.  Using this optogenetic technique could be helpful in improving our understanding of the mechanisms driving stroke recovery, however it is too early to tell exactly how this research might be developed for the treatment of human stroke patients.”

You can find the full story on the BBC website here