Throughout the world, strokes have forced millions of people to live with life-long disabilities. Most victims of strokes suffer from both mental and physical disabilities. Even in the best-case scenarios of a stroke, more than 80 percent of victims suffer from mild to severe cognitive impairment.
Brain Stroke
What is a stroke?
Although most people have heard about strokes or seen them first-hand in their lives, very few know what they actually mean. A stroke is a medical condition resulting from an episode of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). In CVA, the patient’s blood supply is cut off to the central nervous system due to a clot or hemorrhage. People with high blood pressure and smokers are at increased risk of getting a stroke.
Research on New treatments to aid stroke victims
Scientists and researchers are tirelessly conducting new clinical research to discover new drugs or methods to help stroke victims live a better quality of life. In this quest, new research has discovered that Human Growth Hormone could be the treasure at the end of this long quest.
The research has shown that Growth Hormone aids stroke victims by boosting their memory as well as improving their cognitive function.
Currently, many synthetic forms of growth hormone exist and researchers have tested another synthetic form of Growth hormone originally developed for children with growth hormone deficiencies for research in stroke victims.
In many parts of the world, there has been compelling evidence from research that growth hormones can significantly help stroke victims recuperate after impairment in the memory and cognitive functions of the brain.
Researchers from the University of Newcastle have made a breakthrough discovery in this field thus supporting the evidence from foreign researchers.
Associate Professor Rohan Walker from the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute has stated: “A number of groups in the United States had started to show that growth hormone was very effective in promoting cognitive function in patients that had suffered a traumatic brain injury – things like a bomb blast or a blunt force trauma to the head.”
Walker has said, “We see better blood vessel formation, we see better neuronal growth, we see the connection points between neurons are enhanced. So together we’ve been able to demonstrate both the fabric of the brain is fundamentally improved as a function of growth hormone and also that this has direct functional consequences from improvement in learning and memory,”
Because the drug has already been made available in many synthetic forms in the market for children with growth deficiencies and has also been approved by the FDA as being safe, moving the clinic trial forward is relatively easy. Fellow Researcher Dr. Lin Kooi Ong said, “It has huge potential to go on to clinical trials.”
However, to move the research forward, substantial funds have to be collected first. With many volunteers more than happy to participate in the trial, funding is the only hurdle. Rachael Peak, 38, a scientist and stroke victim has said she is willing to happily volunteer in a human trial of the growth hormone.
For Peak, the biggest challenge has been memory recall after suffering from a stroke at the young age of 20. She has personally experienced difficulty in simple daily tasks such as brushing her teeth. There are many more similar stroke victims willing to go to any lengths for even the slightest improvement in their condition.
FAQ: Growth Hormones and Stroke Recovery
1. What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted due to a clot or hemorrhage, leading to brain cell damage.
2. What are the common effects of a stroke?
Most stroke victims experience cognitive and physical disabilities, with over 80% suffering from mild to severe cognitive impairment.
3. How can growth hormone help stroke victims?
Research suggests that growth hormone improves memory, enhances cognitive function, and promotes brain recovery by supporting neuronal growth and blood vessel formation.
4. Has growth hormone been tested for stroke treatment?
Yes, synthetic growth hormones, originally developed for children with growth deficiencies, have been tested for stroke recovery and show promising results.
5. Who is conducting this research?
Researchers from the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, along with international studies, support the benefits of growth hormone for stroke recovery.
6. Why is growth hormone promising for stroke recovery?
It is already FDA-approved for other uses, making clinical trials easier to advance.
7. What is the biggest challenge in moving forward with this treatment?
Funding is the main hurdle, despite many willing volunteers eager to participate in clinical trials.
8. Are there real-life examples of stroke victims benefiting from this research?
Yes, Rachael Peak, a scientist and stroke survivor, struggles with memory recall and daily tasks. She is eager to volunteer in trials to improve her condition.
9. When will growth hormone be available for stroke patients?
Clinical trials are needed before it becomes a standard treatment, and funding is required to move forward.
10. Is growth hormone treatment safe?
Yes, it has been FDA-approved for children with growth deficiencies and is considered safe for further research.
References
Ong, L. K., Chow, W. Z., TeBay, C., Kluge, M., Pietrogrande, G., Zalewska, K., Crock, P., & Isgaard, J. (2018). Growth hormone improves cognitive function after experimental stroke. Stroke, 49(5). https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.117.020557
Rogers, G. (2018, May 24). Growth hormones could boost memory of stroke sufferers. 9News. Retrieved January 26, 2025, from https://www.9news.com.au/national/stroke-research-memory-loss-breakthrough/d449ecb6-d3e8-4614-8807-5b7e80321b21
