Every year, millions of lives are suddenly, swiftly transformed by a stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel travelling towards the brain becomes obstructed, causing neurons to die off. Strokes are among the leading causes of disability in adults, and it is estimated that one in six people will suffer one at some point in their lives.
The human brain is by far the most complex organ in our bodies. Its sophisticated cellular architecture and neural networks give us language, memory and abstract reasoning. But this complexity comes at a cost, as brain tissue has a very limited ability to regenerate. Unlike skin or liver tissue, neurons that die are rarely replaced.
