(RTTNews.com) - Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (ACOR) presented data showing that treatment with dalfampridine improved motor function in a preclinical model of stroke, with treatment initiated at least four weeks following the ischemic event.
"These are the first preclinical data to show an oral pharmacologic treatment can improve function in chronic, or long term, stroke. We are excited by these results and plan to begin proof-of-concept human clinical trials of AMPYRA in people with chronic stroke later this year," said Andrew Blight, Acorda Therapeutics' Chief Scientific Officer.
The company said that the presentation reviewed data from three study groups that received treatment beginning four weeks after a permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. The neurological impairments that result are expected to be permanent by four weeks, which represents the chronic stage of stroke.
Researchers assessed functional improvement using a battery of standard motor function tests in both the forelimbs and hind limbs. According to the company, in each of the three study groups, treatment with dalfampridine resulted in significant improvement in function compared to placebo across all measures during the respective treatment periods. Improvements in the high dose phase were consistently better than those seen in the low dose phase.
Further, Acorda said it plans to begin a proof-of-concept trial of AMPYRA in stroke by the end of 2012. This study will evaluate the use of AMPYRA in stroke patients with chronic neurologic deficits, including walking impairment.
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Acorda Says Data Showed Dalfampridine Improved Motor Function In Chronic Stroke