A recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health has revealed a potential breakthrough in stroke treatment. Researchers at the University of Iowa have found that uric acid, a naturally occurring compound in the body, may improve recovery after an ischemic stroke. The findings are still in the early stages, but they could mark a significant step toward better long-term outcomes for stroke survivors.
A Promising Preclinical Study
Led by Dr. Enrique Leira and Dr. Anil Chauhan, the research team tested uric acid in a rodent model designed to closely mimic human stroke conditions. Using both young and old mice, obese mice, and rats with high blood pressure, they administered intravenous uric acid shortly after the animals experienced a stroke. Over the next month, the team tracked their recovery using neurological tests and MRI scans.
The results were encouraging. Animals treated with uric acid showed better sensorimotor function 30 days after the stroke compared to those given a saline solution. More animals in the uric acid group also survived. While the treatment did not reduce brain damage in all cases, the improvement in physical function and survival rates has raised hopes for future human trials.
Stroke Is More Dangerous Than Many Realize
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in both the United States and Scotland. In the U.S., around 25 percent of strokes occur in people under 64, according to Dr. Leira. Risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and fatty buildup in arteries can increase the likelihood of stroke, even in younger adults.
A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, either by a clot (ischemic stroke) or bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke). Without quick medical treatment, parts of the brain can become permanently damaged, affecting speech, movement, memory, and other critical functions.
Symptoms to watch for include a drooping face, arm weakness, and slurred speech. The acronym FAST—Face, Arms, Speech, Time—can help people remember when to call emergency services right away.
How Uric Acid Could Help
Current stroke treatments are designed to break up clots and restore blood flow. These include clot-busting drugs and surgical procedures. However, many patients do not fully recover, even with rapid intervention. That’s where uric acid may come in.
By adding a compound like uric acid that helps protect brain tissue, doctors might be able to reduce long-term damage and improve outcomes. In the recent study, uric acid was effective across multiple test groups, including animals with health conditions commonly seen in stroke patients. This suggests the treatment may work well even for people with underlying health issues.
The research was conducted under the NIH’s Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (SPAN), a program that applies clinical trial methods—such as randomization and blind testing—to animal studies. Uric acid was the only one of six potential treatments that showed clear benefits, making it the most promising candidate for human testing.
Although this research is still in the preclinical phase, it represents a key advancement in stroke science. Human trials are the next step, and if uric acid proves effective, it could become a valuable add-on therapy to existing stroke treatments.
In the meantime, public health experts continue to stress the importance of prevention. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking are all important ways to reduce stroke risk. And recognizing stroke symptoms quickly can save lives and prevent long-term damage.
As research continues, the medical community is hopeful that this new approach may eventually help thousands of people each year recover more fully from one of the world’s most devastating medical emergencies.
