Stroke is the No. 1 disabling condition for adults in the United States. But Cleveland Clinic scientists say that high ranking of stroke disability is due, in part, to the limited 3-hour window physicians have to care for individuals after stroke onset.

In the new research, Dr. Anthony Furlan, associate director of the Cleveland Clinic's Cerebrovascular Center, is studying a naturally occurring, clot-dissolving agent found in vampire bats’ saliva.

Known as Desmoteplase, the substance is being tested as a potential therapeutic substance to dissolve blood clots that cause stroke.

Currently, no other specific stroke treatment exists for individuals who are not cared for within the 3-hour treatment window.

Furlan said the blood clot-dissolving agent has shown positive results in two of three trials. The Cleveland Clinic researchers are now determining which stroke patients are most likely to benefit from Desmoteplase.