Drugs May Cool Brain to Treat Ischaemic Strokes
Researchers test if common medicines can lower body temperature to help mitigate damage after a stroke.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Stroke
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Scientists are exploring whether drug-induced hypothermia could offer a non-invasive alternative to traditional cooling methods for stroke patients. A recent trial suggests that specific medication combinations can lower human body temperature by approximately 1C.
Why it matters
Therapeutic hypothermia is known to reduce brain metabolic rate and inflammation, but current physical cooling techniques often trigger negative side effects like stress hormone release. New pharmacological approaches aim to achieve these benefits without the complications of standard cooling bags or saline infusions.
A clinical trial involving 32 ischaemic stroke patients demonstrated that a drug cocktail successfully reduced body temperature by 1C. Paracetamol, which blocks the COX-1 enzyme, was also shown to maintain this cooling effect for up to four hours.
The players
Capital Medical University
This institution is a leading medical research university based in Beijing.
University of East London
This university is a public research institution located in London.
Samir Ayoub
He is a researcher who published a significant review regarding temperature control in 2021.
The details
Researchers at Capital Medical University and the University of East London are testing combinations of chlorpromazine and promethazine, drugs originally introduced in the 1950s, to prevent shivering and widen blood vessels. This process allows the body to release heat, potentially reaching the therapeutic target of 33-34C more safely than physical methods.
Timeline
1950s: Chlorpromazine and promethazine were introduced for medical use.
2021: Samir Ayoub published a review regarding temperature control in the journal Temperature.
The Big Picture
This research follows a pattern set by therapeutic hypothermia clinical protocols by seeking to optimize temperature management in trauma care. It marks a shift from physical cooling techniques toward pharmacological intervention to avoid physiological stress.
This research could eventually offer stroke patients a less invasive way to benefit from therapeutic cooling without the discomfort of ice baths. Patients may experience fewer stress-related complications, such as irregular heart rates or blood pressure fluctuations, during treatment.
The takeaway
Drug-induced hypothermia aims to lower the brain's metabolic rate while avoiding the physical stress associated with traditional cooling methods. Researchers continue to evaluate whether readily available household medicines can be safely repurposed for these emergency medical needs.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research and clinical standards for treating brain injuries in the Stroke section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mail Online.
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