tPA for Stroke

Justin Zivin is a Professor of Neurosciences at the University of California San Diego. He holds both MD and PhD degrees from Northwestern University, and was trained as a neurologist at the University of California San Francisco. For more than thirty years he has conducted research in acute stroke therapy both for basic science studies and clinical trials. He has been continuously funded for this research by federal agencies since 1979.John Galbraith Simmons studied philosophy at Northwestern University, graduating with honors, and also holds a degree in developmental studies from Long Island University. He has published four novels, written for television and film, and is also the author of The Scientific 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Scientists, Past and Present and Doctors and Discoveries: Lives That Created Today's Medicine. He lives in New York and Paris.

• To the ReaderPART ONE: DiscoveryChapter OneCode Stroke on Market StreetChapter TwoClotbuster: The Natural History Chapter ThreeDead or Alive Chapter 4Brain-O PART TWO: Change, Resistance, and TransformationChapter FiveThe Brain Doctors Cometh - Slowly Chapter SixWhat Emergency? Chapter SevenMoney and BrainChapter EightDeer in the HeadlightsChapter NineCall 911, 112, 15...Even 999Chapter TenPersistence of a Most Controversial DrugChapter 11Through the Looking GlassPost-ScriptThe NINDS Stroke Study: A Personal StatementList of InterviewsBibliography

"When science, medicine, politics, biotech, government, ego, the law, and public health all collide, the resulting marvelous thunder is this extraordinarily insightful book into the development of the only proven treatment for the number one combined killer and crippler - stroke. As told by those closest to the truth, this story is gripping yet painful, wonderful yet concerning, and reads like a fictional medical thriller yet is a historical documentary. Everyperson and family afflicted by stroke and even those worried about having a stroke must read this so they will know what reality is." --Steven R. Levine, M.D., Professor and Vice Chair, Neurology, andAssociate Dean for Clinical Research & Faculty Development, The State University of New York (SUNY) Health Science Center - Brooklyn"A fascinating and well-written saga of a dispute that illustrates many of the weaknesses of the U.S. biotechnological and medical enterprise."--Robert Bazell, Chief Science and Health Correspondent, NBC News"Every important new drug deserves its own biography, and tPA for Stroke is a splendid bio, told in painstaking and eye-popping detail, of tissue plasminogen activator, one of the most powerful--and controversial--products of the biotech age. Justin Zivin and John Simmons succeed not only in recounting a stirring scientific odyssey of ingenuity and persistence; they explain why a successful new treatment for stroke is not more widely used against one of themost debilitating afflictions of humankind. A provocative book that will enlighten, and perhaps infuriate, researchers, doctors, and patients." --Stephen S. Hall, author of Wisdom: From Philosophy toNeuroscience"There is no comparison to this book, which will help increase awareness of stroke and stroke treatment. I thank the authors for their efforts." --Doody's"tPA for Strokes serves as a loud and effective wake-up call to the public to understand why they are still not likely to get effective stroke care unless they are fully informed. If they read this book, they will be informed consumers and will know the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms, acting immediately, and getting the stroke patient to an appropriate stroke center." -- James C. Grotta, M.D., World Neurology"This book is an interesting read for those of us who are stroke enthusiasts, and for those who are not; I recommend it wholeheartedly to both groups!" -- Arani Nitkunan, Department of Neurology, St George's Hospital, London, Advances in Clinical Neurosciences and Rehabilitation"The aim of the book, according to the authors, was to raise awareness of tPA and, at the end, one does feel convinced of its status as a revolutionary neurological drug. This book is an interesting read for those of us who are stroke enthusiasts, and for those who are not; I recommend it wholeheartedly to both groups!" -- Arani Nitkunan, Department of Neurology, St George's Hospital, London, Advances in Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation"Stroke physicians, whether specialist or in training, will be curious about reading this account of the story of tPA, as will those with an interest in medical history." --The LancetFeatured in Brain: A Journal of Neurology.