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Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and the third leading cause of death in Canada. A crucial aspect to our understanding of the cause and effect of strokes was the discovery that major tissue damage is often delayed several days after the initial stroke. As this delay provides a vital opportunity to apply protective or restorative therapies, Dr. Mark Hackett is studying the role of several complex biochemical pathways during and after stroke.

Dr. Hackett and his team are using synchrotron spectroscopic imaging techniques to investigate the mechanistic relationships between several biochemical changes that occur as a result of stroke. Prior to the existence of these imaging techniques, such a study was not possible.

Dr. Hackett expects this study to shed new light on the physiological and biochemical mechanisms linking events during stroke. The findings, as they relate to strokes, will contribute to the identification of new target pathways for therapeutic intervention. Moreover, the study methods will have direct application to research into other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis.

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