The burden of stroke

Stroke is a major challenge to clinicians, researchers, and society. Globally, stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability, the second leading cause of death, and also a major cause of dementia.

There have been substantial advances in the treatment of acute stroke, most notably with the introduction of stroke units, thrombolytic therapy, and mechanical thrombectomy. Nevertheless, there is much room for improvement, as the majority of stroke patients stilkl  remain without effective specific treatment.

The need for clinical trials

Clinical trials are crucial to advance stroke treatment. Without randomized trials there is no progress in stroke research and treatment. Over the past years, we have witnessed tremendous progress in stroke treatment by clinical trials, just to mention thrombectomy and intravenous thrombolysis in the extended time window.

Trials demonstrating the benefit of these treatment have changed clinical practice and improved the outcome of stroke patients worldwide.

The German Stroke Trial Network (GSTN)

Germany has an excellent organisation of stroke care with a dense network of certified stroke units. The German Stroke Trial Network (GSTN) is a network of stroke centers who actively participate in clinical stroke trials, including trials of acute stroke treatment, secondary prevention, and rehabilitation. The network was built in order to supports stroke research collaboration with a focus is on randomised clinical trials, both investigator-initiated and industry-funded trials. The German Stroke Trial Network (GSTN) represents a first contact point for researchers or companies who are looking for active stroke centers in germany as potential sites for clinical trials.