title: The evolution of transcranial laser therapy for acute ischemic stroke, including a pooled analysis of NEST-1 and NEST-2.
abstract: Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator is the only proven therapy for acute ischemic stroke. Not enough patients are eligible for treatment and additional new therapies are needed. Recently, laser technology has been applied to acute ischemic stroke. This noninvasive technique uses near-infrared wavelengths applied to the scalp within 24 h of symptom onset. The mechanism is incompletely understood but may involve increased mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate production. Animal models demonstrated safety and efficacy warranting randomized controlled trials in humans. NEST-1 (phase 2) and NEST-2 (phase 3) confirmed the safety of transcranial laser therapy, although efficacy was not found in NEST-2. Pooled analysis of NEST-1 and NEST-2 revealed a significantly improved success rate in patients treated with laser therapy. Further phase 3 testing is planned and may create a new paradigm for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Diego Medical Center, Medical Office North, 3rd floor, Suite 3, 200 West Arbor Drive #8466, San Diego, CA 92103-8466, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Stemer
authors.forename: Branko N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Huisa
authors.forename: Justin A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Zivin
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D023421:Models, Animal; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000601:surgery*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator
chemical_list: D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator