Pathological conditions in the central nervous system, including stroke and trauma, are often exacerbated by cerebral edema. Edema complicates many conditions that affect the central nervous system (CNS), including stroke and trauma. Edema worsens neurological function and can threaten life. Swelling resulting from malignant  cerebral edema after a large middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke is responsible for the high mortality of 60–80% of the patients. Molecular mechanisms of cerebral edema are poorly understood, and available treatments are nonspecific and only moderately effective.

High morbidity and mortality from hemorrhagic shock and subsequent multiple organ failure remain a very significant and costly clinical problem.

Our findings indicate that the NCCa-ATP channel is crucially involved in development of cerebral edema, and that targeting this biochemical pathway may provide a new therapeutic approach to stroke.

Chikujee is developing products based on glibenclamide, for treatment of stroke and trauma.