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Biomedicines
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Advances in Stroke Neuroprotection and Repair
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Advances in Stroke Neuroprotection and Repair

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurobiology and Clinical Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2026) | Viewed by 5917

Editor

Dr. Konstantinos Tsamakis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
Interests: mental health; depression; anxiety; gut microbiome; dementia; psychosis; psychopharmacology; COVID-19
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Stroke, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, poses a significant burden on healthcare systems and individual lives. Despite advances in prevention, management, and rehabilitation strategies, the devastating consequences of stroke, particularly the irreversible damage to the brain, continue to challenge the medical community. This Special Issue “Advances in Stroke Neuroprotection and Repair”, aims to bring together the latest research advancements that are aimed at mitigating the harmful effects of stroke and promoting neural repair and recovery.

This Special Issue will investigate novel therapeutic targets and approaches to interrupt the cascade of events that lead to neuronal death following stroke. These include, but are not limited to, the modulation of inflammatory responses, the restoration of blood flow and oxygen supply to the affected brain regions, and the promotion of neural regeneration and plasticity. Furthermore, given the intricate interplay between blood vessels and neural tissue in the brain, research on angiogenesis and its role in stroke recovery will also be highlighted.

This Special Issue also aims to provide a platform for researchers to share their insights into the complex pathophysiology of stroke, including the role of oxidative stress, inflammation, and other biological processes that contribute to neuronal damage. By bringing together experts from diverse fields, we hope to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerate the translation of basic research findings into clinical practice.

Dr. Konstantinos Tsamakis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • stroke
  • cerebral infarction
  • neuronal damage
  • neural regeneration
  • neuroprotection

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 149 KB  
Editorial
Advances in Stroke Neuroprotection and Repair: Bridging Acute Interventions and Regenerative Biomarkers
by Konstantinos Tsamakis
Biomedicines 2026, 14(7), 1531; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14071531 - 8 Jul 2026
Viewed by 268
Abstract
The foundational milestone of neuroprotection is the rapid, mechanical restoration of blood flow to ischemic brain tissue [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Stroke Neuroprotection and Repair)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Other

9 pages, 271 KB  
Article
Atrial Fibrillation Validation Among Patients with Ischemic Stroke: An Electrocardiogram Comparison Between 24 h Holter and Single-Lead Wearable Devices: Rationale and Design of the AVANT-GARDE Trial
by Yerim Kim, Jong-Ho Park, Yong-Jae Kim and on behalf of the AVANT-GARDE Investigators
Biomedicines 2025, 13(11), 2677; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13112677 - 31 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1401
Abstract
Introduction/Aim: As the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases with the aging population, the challenge of enhancing the detection rate of AF in embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) has intensified. AF is often detected only after a debilitating or fatal cardioembolic stroke, [...] Read more.
Introduction/Aim: As the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases with the aging population, the challenge of enhancing the detection rate of AF in embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) has intensified. AF is often detected only after a debilitating or fatal cardioembolic stroke, underscoring the crucial need for early identification to prevent further ischemic stroke (IS). This study aims to assess the efficacy of AF detection in patients with ESUS using a single-lead patch (mobiCARE™; Seers Tech, Inc.) over a period of at least 72 h and up to 5 days, in comparison with standard 24 h Holter monitoring. Design: This multicenter, prospective, consecutive observational trial involves patients aged 18 years and older who have experienced an IS within the past six months. Study outcomes: The primary outcome is the initial detection of AF using either a single-lead wearable patch or 24 h Holter monitoring at both baseline and at a 6-month follow-up among patients diagnosed with ESUS stroke. Secondary outcomes include the first detection of AF among stroke patients with large-artery atherosclerosis or small-vessel occlusion, particularly those whose transthoracic echocardiography reveals a left atrial size of ≥44 mm, an echocardiographic marker of AF. Discussion: Prolonged cardiac monitoring increases the detection rate of paroxysmal AF, but the optimal method should be non-invasive, patient-friendly, and accurate. This new technology may reduce patient burden and socioeconomic impact by facilitating AF detection and preventing cardioembolic stroke, even in patients with non-cardiogenic stroke. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Stroke Neuroprotection and Repair)
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12 pages, 1204 KB  
Article
Effectiveness and Safety of Endovascular Treatment in Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke with an NIHSS Score of ≤5 Exhibiting Predominant Cortical Signs
by Chulho Kim, Seung Joon Oh, Jae Jun Lee, Jong-Hee Sohn, Joo Hye Sung, Yerim Kim, Minwoo Lee, Mi Sun Oh, Kyung-Ho Yu, Hee Jung Mo and Sang-Hwa Lee
Biomedicines 2025, 13(7), 1700; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13071700 - 11 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1757
Abstract
Background: Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of EVT on stroke outcomes in patients with LVO with a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≤5, exhibiting primarily cortical signs. Methods: We conducted a multicenter registry-based analysis of [...] Read more.
Background: Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of EVT on stroke outcomes in patients with LVO with a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≤5, exhibiting primarily cortical signs. Methods: We conducted a multicenter registry-based analysis of patients with acute ischemic stroke with LVO who arrived within 12 h of onset. Among these, patients with low NIHSS scores and prominent cortical signs (Items 2, 3, 9, or 11) were included. Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent EVT and those treated with the best medical therapy (BMT), which included intravenous thrombolysis where appropriate. The primary outcome measure was a modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 0–1 at 3 months and symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (SHT). We performed logistic regression analysis to evaluate the impact of EVT on the outcomes. Results: Of the 970 patients with LVO, 291 met the inclusion criteria, with 95 and 196 undergoing EVT and BMT, respectively. The EVT group demonstrated a significantly higher rate of 3-month mRS score of 0–1 (65.3% vs. 39.3%, p < 0.001) and a lower incidence of SHT than the BMT group (3.2% vs. 12.8%, p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis confirmed that EVT was associated with improved functional recovery (mRS score, 0–1; odds ratio [OR], 3.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.82–7.06; p < 0.001) and reduced risk of SHT (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.05–0.74; p = 0.02). Notably, patients with specific cortical signs, such as aphasia and spatial neglect, exhibited better outcomes with EVT. Conclusions: EVT may significantly improve the functional outcomes in patients with mild LVO stroke who present with cortical signs, despite low NIHSS scores. These findings suggest that cortical signs should be a key factor in EVT decision-making for mild stroke cases, thereby advocating for a more individualized approach in acute stroke management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Stroke Neuroprotection and Repair)
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Other

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18 pages, 1488 KB  
Systematic Review
Functional Neuroimaging as a Biomarker of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation in Upper Limb Recovery After Stroke: A Systematic Review and Narrative Discussion
by Sheharyar S. Baig, Wen Hai, Mudasar Aziz, Paul Armitage, Kevin Teh, Ali N. Ali, Arshad Majid and Li Su
Biomedicines 2026, 14(1), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14010117 - 6 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1662
Abstract
Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of adult-onset disability. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) are promising adjuncts to upper limb rehabilitation. The use of [...] Read more.
Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of adult-onset disability. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) are promising adjuncts to upper limb rehabilitation. The use of functional neuroimaging through task functional MRI (fMRI) or functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) allows the visualisation of cortical activation patterns associated with stroke-related impairment and recovery. The present study comprehensively reviews the evidence base for the effects of NIBS on clinical and functional neuroimaging outcomes after stroke. Methods: Systematic searches were carried out in MEDLINE and EMBASE via Ovid. Inclusion criteria were clinical trials of adults with stroke and arm weakness undergoing NIBS, with clinical measures of arm function and neuroimaging outcome measures that included either task fMRI or task fNIRS. Two authors independently carried out study screening, risk of bias assessments, and data collection for clinical and neuroimaging outcomes pre- and post-intervention. Results: A total of 17 studies (12 rTMS, 5 tDCS), including 495 participants, met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen studies used task fMRI and four used task fNIRS. Improvements in arm-related motor activity were observed following both rTMS and tDCS. Most studies reported increased activation in ipsilesional sensorimotor areas alongside reductions in contralesional activation. Discussion: rTMS and tDCS may improve upper limb recovery in people with stroke. The increase in the laterality index towards activation of the ipsilesional hemisphere suggests that these NIBS techniques may facilitate neural reorganisation and restoration of motor networks in the affected hemisphere. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Stroke Neuroprotection and Repair)
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