Dancing-molecule nanotherapy crosses the blood-brain barrier to repair stroke damage

Northwestern researchers have developed an injectable regenerative nanomaterial built from dynamic “dancing molecules” that can cross the blood-brain barrier after reperfusion in a mouse model of ischemic stroke. Delivered intravenously immediately after clot removal, the therapy reduced brain damage and inflammation without observed toxicity, suggesting it could complement clot-busting treatments. The approach relies on smaller peptide assemblies crossing the BBB before larger nanofibers form in brain tissue, and may have implications for traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases. Next steps include longer-term functional studies and exploring additional regenerative signals.