Connecting stroke research across Germany: How the Stroke Specialist Network is driving forward clinical trials

To mark World Stroke Day on 29 October, we spoke to Prof. Dr Götz Thomalla. He is the Clinical Director of the Department of Neurology at the Academic Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and spokesperson for the Specialty Network Stroke within the NUM Study Network. In the video, Prof. Thomalla discusses nationwide collaboration in research, as well as what is important in an emergency and for the prevention of strokes.

Faster trials, faster access to new treatments

The Specialty Network Stroke aims to speed up and facilitate clinical stroke trials in Germany. This should also benefit patients, as new treatment options will reach clinical practice more quickly.

Large-scale, representative studies are only possible with the involvement of many centres. That is why nationwide collaboration is crucial. The Specialty Network Stroke within the NUM Study Network brings these centres together for this purpose.

Stroke as a societal challenge

Stroke affects thousands of people every year and is one of the major health challenges facing our society. Prof. Thomalla therefore calls on politicians, researchers and civil society to pool their efforts and work towards raising awareness, providing information and securing funding.

In the event of an acute stroke, every minute counts. Anyone who suspects that they, a relative or someone close to them is having a stroke should call the emergency services immediately on 112. However, according to Prof. Thomalla, most strokes can be prevented. In the video, he explains which factors play the biggest role in this.

The full video interview with Prof. Thomalla can be found below this text.