Arundic acid -: Astrocyte-modulating agent treatment of stroke treatment of neurodegeneration

According to the World Health Organization, stroke is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 5 million deaths per year. Oxygen deprivation due-to stroke leads to rapid nerve cell death and dysfunction of the body part controlled by the affected nerve cells. Thus, stroke is also responsible for serious long-term disability (e.g., paralysis, cognitive deficits, dementia, dizziness, vertigo, impaired vision, language deficits, emotional difficulties, pain). Although there have been improvements in recent years in the treatment of stroke, the need for novel therapies to prevent and treat stroke remains a research priority. One novel agent to emerge is Ono-2506 (arundic acid), which modulates astrocyte activation by inhibiting the enhanced astrocytic synthesis of S-100beta, responsible for inducing neuronal death. Ono-2506 does not affect thrombi or blood vessels and therefore does not pose a risk for hemorrhage. It has shown efficacy in preventing expansion of cerebral infarction by improving astrocyte function and may be effective even when administered hours after ischemic stroke onset. Ono-2506 is undergoing phase II development for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, as well as clinical development in other neurodegenerative diseases including amytrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.