Amine-modified single-walled carbon nanotubes protect neurons from injury in a rat stroke model

Stroke results in the disruption of tissue architecture and is the third leading cause of death in the United States1. Transplanting scaffolds containing stem cells into the injured areas of the brain has been proposed as a treatment strategy2, and carbon nanotubes show promise in this regard, with positive outcomes when used as scaffolds in neural cells3,4 and brain tissues5. Here, we show that pretreating rats with amine-modified single-walled carbon nanotubes can protect neurons and enhance the recovery of behavioural functions in rats with induced stroke. Treated rats showed less tissue damage than controls and took longer to fall from a rotating rod, suggesting better motor functions after injury. Low levels of apoptotic, angiogenic and inflammation markers indicated that amine-modified single-walled carbon nanotubes protected the brains of treated rats from ischaemic injury. Pretreating rats with amine-modified single-walled carbon nanotubes can decrease brain injury and enhance recovery of behavioural functions after a stroke.