Havana, Cuba.-A team of Cuban scientists discovered the molecule called JM-20 that protects the nervous system from own degenerative brain injury, Granma newspaper released today.

Researchers found in preclinical studies the neuroprotective characteristics in the molecule. It could contribute to the development of new treatments to face cerebral ischemia, the newspaper states.

According to the publication, those results enabled the monitoring of research towards clinical trials in humans. Subsequently, if the benefit of the JM-20 has success, the market could provide, for the first time, a product with effective therapeutic action against this disease and its consequences, specialists said.

They also stated that the molecule and its derivatives are protected by a Cuban patent.

Scientists from the Institute of Basic Health Sciences, and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, are also working in the research.