Delayed Varenicline Administration Reduces Inflammation and Improves Forelimb Use Following Experimental Stroke

Our results show that delayed administration of varenicline promotes recovery of function following experimental stroke. Motor function improvements were accompanied by decreased brain inflammation and increased axonal regeneration in nonpenumbral areas. These results suggest that the administration of an exogenous nicotinic agonist in the subacute phase following stroke may be a viable therapeutic strategy for stroke patients.