‘The future looks bright’
Heart and Stroke Foundation P.E.I. supporters take part in the Atlantic Veterinary College research lab tour recently to see ongoing stroke research
Cathy Shumate has been told that she is lucky to be alive.
The 68-year-old Lower Montague woman has had 22 strokes over the course of her life, resulting in three major brain surgeries.
Shumate says she feels hopeful for the future after walking through the hallways at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) with her mother, Jean Shumate, and seeing some of the stroke research happening at the University of Prince Edward Island.
“I think that strokes aren’t going to be the horrendous things that they have been historically. I just think we have a really rosy picture in front of us. The future looks bright, and I’m very excited for it.”
Shumate was one of several people who took part in the AVC research lab tour recently where Heart and Stroke Foundation supporters had a chance to learn more about the ESCAPE-NA-1 trial.
Leading this tour was Andrew Tasker, professor of neuropharmacology and research professor at the AVC, who
gave a snapshot of the groundbreaking research that went on at the facility 15 years ago.
Tasker and his team tested a drug called NA-1 on animal models to see if it would protect brain cells from dying during a stroke.
Their findings were so positive — and like no other in the field of stroke research — that they led to the formation of a company called NoNO Inc. to attract investment to take it to regulatory testing.
“I think it’s really, really exciting,” said Tasker. “To have played what is generally recognized as quite an important part in a story which has gone on to bigger and better things and is now close to telling us whether we have an effective therapy is hugely rewarding.”
Tasker and his students continue to study stroke and are directing their efforts in understanding the molecular basis of rehabilitation.
Tasker said they are trying to understand the way in which the brain re-develops function that is lost during a stroke.
“If we can understand that, than hopefully we can find ways to promote that recovery,” explained Tasker, who continues to train numerous undergrads, graduates and post-doctoral students in this field of research at UPEI.
Shumate said she found the tour informative, learning about the NA-1 research done at AVC and how that led to the global Phase III trial called ESCAPE-NA-1 for acute ischemic stroke.
She also found it helpful to became a supporter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation after she witnessed her own mother dealing with the effects of a stroke back in 2001. Today, she only wishes she could do more since the research is so promising.
Charlotte Comrie, CEO for the Heart and Stroke Foundation P.E.I., said it’s through their supporters that they are able to fund research to help save lives of people who experience stroke.
“What was important for us is for our supporters to see that research takes time and effort and, of course, money and that young researchers, in particular, need support in order to continue their careers in research.”