Neurotoxicity Testing in Stroke Drug Discovery & Development

Neurotoxicity is one of the major causes of adverse drug reactions during preclinical or clinical development, and accounts for approximately 10% of all drug withdrawals, regardless of therapeutic area. Therefore, neurotoxicity is an important aspect of drug safety evaluation. In the field of stroke, neurotoxicity can be used to characterize the side effects of drugs used to treat stroke. For example, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has been associated with neuronal damage in animal models, especially when the blood-brain barrier is incomplete or when given outside the vascular compartment. Similarly, early drugs targeting excitotoxicity (e.g., NMDA antagonists such as MK-801) have performed poorly in terms of their effects on cognition.

Custom Neurotoxicity Testing Services

Ace Therapeutics has many senior staff members active in the rapidly evolving field of neuroscience. We work with you to develop, optimize, and implement innovative technologies to assess the potential neurotoxic effects of your stroke drugs, including adverse effects on the chemistry, structure, or function of the nervous system. All studies can be customized upon request.

In Vitro Neurotoxicity Assessment of Stroke Drugs

Ace Therapeutics offers cell-based assays that utilize high-content imaging and analysis images to quantify total cell counts, total dead cell counts, total astrocyte counts, astrocyte activation, and alterations in calcium signaling.

We use in vitro models of stroke to assess the neurotoxicity of stroke drugs. We complete the neurotoxicity assessment by evaluating the cytotoxicity of stroke drugs on neurons, astrocyte activation, and calcium signaling modulation.

In Vivo Neurotoxicity Assessment of Stroke Drugs

We offer neurotoxicity testing to evaluate the effects of stroke drugs in animals.

• Acute neurotoxicity
• Subchronic neurotoxicity
• Developmental neurotoxicity
• Behavioral developmental toxicity

Our Capabilities and Strengths

• Neurobehavioral testing. We offer a variety of tests to assess sensory, motor, cognitive and emotional function after stroke.
• Neuropathologic evaluation. We can perform a wide range of histopathologic stains upon request, providing a high standard of histopathologic technique and morphological analysis for stroke research.
• Nerve synapse growth assays. We can examine the effects of stroke drugs on neuronal activity and development in vitro, providing valuable information on the potential of stroke drugs to enhance or inhibit neurogenesis.
• Neurochemical testing. We can measure cholinesterase in brain samples as well as quantify endogenous levels of neurotransmitters.

In addition to standard brain injury and neuro-scoring measurements, Ace Therapeutics is committed to expanding preclinical outcome measures to help clients identify the potential neurotoxicity of stroke drugs earlier. Whether an in vitro or in vivo model is chosen, we work closely with our clients to develop a comprehensive neurotoxicity assessment strategy that meets their goals. If you are interested in our services, please do not hesitate to contact us!