Scientists have identified a class of immune cells that floods the brain soon
after a stroke, causing inflammation and more neurological damage.

In an experiment, Japanese researchers showed how mice that were deficient in
these immune cells suffered far less brain damage after a stroke compared to
normal mice.

The lead author of the study, Akihiko Yoshimura at Keio University's School of
Medicine in Tokyo, explained that while the initial damage from a stroke cannot
be prevented, drugs can be used to limit secondary damage caused by immune
cells that rush to the site of the infarction, or stroke.

"The first damage happens immediately after a stroke, we can't block this
because it is very rapid," Yoshimura said.

"But after this neural damage, macrophages and T-cells (two types of immune
cells) are imported and this inflammation induces the growth of the infarction.
We can block this secondary damage by suppressing the inflammation," he told
Reuters.

The body's natural defence system produces immune cells to fight off invading
viruses and bacteria, and in the event of any injury. Unfortunately, the same
mechanism kicks in after a stroke-induced injury.

In their experiment, Yoshimura and his colleagues induced a stroke in several
groups of mice and observed how the subsequent flood of immune cells caused
inflammation and more damage.

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