A failure of forward translation? The case of neuroprotection

Abstract

More than half a century of research focused on ischemic brain injury mechanisms has failed to yield a widely accepted neuroprotective drug for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The absence of a therapeutic intervention targeted at neuroprotective mechanisms raises questions about the relevance of preclinical models in human stroke. Indeed, this failure of forward translation (traditional bench-to-bedside research) to bring candidate drugs into clinical use suggests that alternative or complementary approaches are needed. Here, we discuss the potential of reverse translational research - exploring a bedside-to-bench approach - utilizing big data genomics to discover novel AIS therapeutic targets. This approach might provide insights into new and old drug targets.