Lower The Antibody, Higher The Stroke Risk

Monday, February 22, 2010, 16:42

Low level of antibodies present in the immune system increases the chances of suffering a stroke.

'Buzz up!' The research group, which was led by Professor Johan Frostegard, hopes to be able to develop a vaccine that can mobilise the body's own defence against arteriosclerosis and stroke.

In the study, researchers focused exclusively on stroke, a blood clot in the brain, and compared 227 individuals who had suffered stroke over the 13 years.

After controlling for other risk factors (age, sex, smoking habits, cholesterol levels, diabetes, BMI and blood pressure), they were able to show that low level of antibodies ((below 30 per cent of average) ) correlated with a higher risk of stroke.

"Were now examining the possibility of developing new immunological treatments for arteriosclerosis and stroke, either in the form of a vaccine to stimulate the immune defence or immunisation through the injection of antibodies," says Professor Frostegard.