Iaci JF, Parry TJ, Huang Z, Finklestein SP, Ren J, Barrile DK, Davenport MD, Wu R, Blight AR, Caggiano AO. Dalfampridine improves sensorimotor function in rats with chronic deficits after middle cerebral artery occlusion.
Stroke 2013;
44:1942-50. [PMID:
23652269 DOI:
10.1161/strokeaha.111.000147]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Stroke survivors often have permanent deficits that are only partially addressed by physical therapy. This study evaluated the effects of dalfampridine, a potassium channel blocker, on persistent sensorimotor deficits in rats with treatment initiated 4 or 8 weeks after stroke.
METHODS
Rats underwent permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Sensorimotor function was measured using limb-placing and body-swing symmetry tests, which normally show a partial recovery from initial deficits that plateaus ≈4 weeks after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Dalfampridine was administered starting at 4 or 8 weeks after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in 2 blinded, vehicle-controlled studies. Plasma samples were collected and brain tissue was processed for histologic assessment.
RESULTS
Dalfampridine treatment (0.5-2.0 mg/kg) improved forelimb- and hindlimb-placing responses and body-swing symmetry in a reversible and dose-dependent manner. Plasma dalfampridine concentrations correlated with dose. Brain infarct volumes showed no differences between treatment groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Dalfampridine improves sensorimotor function in the rat permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion model. Dalfampridine extended-release tablets (prolonged release fampridine outside the United States) are used to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis, and these preclinical data provide a strong rationale for examining the potential of dalfampridine to treat chronic stable deficits in stroke patients.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01605825.
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