Research in the news: Muscle contraction may contribute to stroke damage

In the accompanying movie of a mouse brain taken by specialized microscope, researchers at the Yale School of Medicine found that smooth muscle (in cyan) actually constricts during a stroke instead of expanding, as would be expected to minimize damage during a stroke. This muscle contraction appears to contribute to permanent brain damage.

The findings provide a new target for potential drugs to improve stroke outcome, said Jaime Grutzendler, associate professor of neurology and of neurobiology, and senior author of the study, which appeared online 25 June in the journal Neuron.

Source: Yale University