Stroke is a leading cause of death and permanent disability, with an estimated impact on public health of $73.7 billion per year in the United States. Ischemic stroke accounts for over 85% of stroke cases. Therapeutic options for ischemic stroke are limited. Early treatment with recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA) only benefits a fraction of patients. In addition, this treatment does not target immuno-inflammatory events during stroke. Ischemia-reperfusion damage is associated with dysregulation of multiple neuroinflammatory signaling pathways that causes irreversible damage to neuronal circuits resulting in the pathologies that affect stroke survivors. Our multi-PI team with extensive, complementary, and unique expertise and access to multiple research tools will use a rat model to investigate the efficacy of a novel approach to pharmacologically resolve neuroinflammatory disruptions triggered by experimental ischemic stroke and thus preserve neuronal network integrity and promote neurologic recovery. Our central hypothesis is that blocking pro- inflammatory platelet activating factor receptor (PAFR) together with administration of docosanoids will lead to sustained neurological recovery and protect neuronal circuits in the primary motor cortex after ischemic stroke. Compelling preliminary data support this hypothesis. We have identified a low molecular weight PAFR antagonist, LAU-0901, which will be administered together with the aspirin-triggered (AT) isomer, AT-NPD1 (aspirin-triggered neuroprotectin D1), our lead docosanoid, in the studies proposed for this application. We predict that our new experimental combination therapy that targets mechanisms of motor circuit damage by blocking pro-inflammatory PAF signaling will reduce damage and enhance survival by ensuring the availability of pro-resolving and neuroprotective lipid mediators following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). We propose two specific aims: 1) To test the hypothesis that combined blocking of pro- inflammatory PAF plus treatment with docosanoids after MCAo will lead to sustained neurological recovery, and 2) Test the prediction that pro-homeostatic lipid mediator pathways are restored by combination treatment for experimental ischemic stroke. The scientific premise of the proposed research is to identify key network processes in adaptive brain plasticity, which may help to predict functional outcome and may also lead to development of therapeutic interventions to support and promote recovery after stroke. This innovative therapeutic approach may also be applicable to the treatment of other neurological diseases with an inflammatory component such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and others.

Public Health Relevance

This project will define the significance of a novel experimental therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke that, by halting pro-inflammatory events and simultaneously bolstering resolution, would achieve long-lasting protection of motor circuits and neurological recovery. Overall, the proposed studies will unravel mechanisms and pave the way to a therapeutic paradigm shift for ischemic stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases that remain among the greatest challenges to public health.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS104117-04
Application #
10093153
Study Section
Brain Injury and Neurovascular Pathologies Study Section (BINP)
Program Officer
Bosetti, Francesca
Project Start
2018-05-01
Project End
2023-01-31
Budget Start
2021-02-01
Budget End
2022-01-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Louisiana State Univ Hsc New Orleans
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
782627814
City
New Orleans
State
LA
Country
United States
Zip Code
70112