Researchers at the University of Hong Kong developed a nasal spray called NanoPowder to provide emergency pre-hospital treatment for ischemic stroke [1, 2].
This development matters because rapid intervention is critical for stroke patients. By delivering neurotherapeutic powder before a patient reaches the hospital, paramedics can potentially minimize permanent neurological impairment, and increase survival rates [1, 2].
The project was led by Professor Aviva Chow Shing-fung and Dr. Shao Zitong at HKUMed [1, 2]. The spray is designed for use by paramedics during the transport of patients to medical facilities, bypassing the delays associated with hospital admission and initial imaging [1, 2, 3].
According to research data, the treatment can reduce brain damage by over 80% [1, 2, 3]. To achieve these results, the spray must be administered within 30 minutes of the stroke's onset [4].
Ischemic strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is obstructed. The NanoPowder system utilizes a specialized delivery method to ensure the neurotherapeutic agents reach the brain quickly via the nasal route, a pathway that avoids the blood-brain barrier more effectively than traditional intravenous methods [1, 3].
The team at the University of Hong Kong intends for this to be the world's first nasal spray of its kind for pre-hospital stroke care [1, 2]. While the findings show significant promise in reducing tissue loss, the researchers said the narrow window of efficacy is required for the treatment to be successful [4].
“The treatment can reduce brain damage by over 80%.”
The introduction of a pre-hospital nasal spray shifts the critical window of stroke care from the emergency room to the ambulance. If the 30-minute administration window can be reliably met by first responders, this technology could significantly lower the long-term disability rates associated with ischemic strokes by preserving brain tissue before hospital-based interventions begin.
