Current progress in medical imaging diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for stroke: opportunities and challenges for Chinese Medicine

Abstract

Stroke is the secondary cause of death in human diseases worldwide and the first cause in China. As therapeutic strategies for ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke are different, early diagnosis for stroke becomes extremely important for improving clinical outcome. Last decades, the development of brain imaging technology greatly facilitates the diagnosis of stroke at relatively early stage. In this lecture, I will firstly summarize current progress in the development of multimodality imaging technologies including functional CT, MRI, PET/CT, etc., for diagnosis and monitoring therapeutic effects. In particular, I will introduce our newly developed brain mapping technology for pO2 distribution in stroke animal model with electron paramagnetic resonance technology. Secondly I will introduce our recent results in developing novel molecular targets and therapeutic approaches for stroke treatment. Finally, I will discuss the potentials of developing Chinese herbal medicine targeting brain protection and brain repair. In conclusion, with the development of new brain imaging technologies and advanced approaches, we will be able to uncover the therapeutic principle of Chinese herbal medicine for neuroprotection and neurogenesis. Further studies on this aspect will bring great opportunity for drug discovery to prevent and treat ischemic brain injury.