Final answer:
Illicit drugs like amphetamines and cocaine can cause drug-induced vascular spasm, which can lead to an ischemic stroke by dramatically reducing blood flow to the brain. High blood pressure is another major risk factor that should be controlled. While drugs targeting calcium entry and excitotoxic cascade have been developed, they have had limited success in clinical trials.
Step-by-step explanation:
Substances such as illicit drugs including amphetamines and cocaine can cause drug-induced vascular spasm, potentially leading to a stroke. When a vascular spasm occurs, it results from the contraction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the blood vessel. Such spasms can limit blood flow and, in severe cases like those involving drugs, can lead to stroke due to reduced oxygen and nutrient delivery to the brain.
A stroke can be classified as ischemic when caused by a blood clot, and almost 90 percent of strokes are of this type. Other factors like high blood pressure are critical to manage to reduce the risk of stroke. While a variety of drugs have been developed to treat the aftermath of a stroke, focusing on preventing calcium entry into neurons or targeting molecules involved in excitotoxicity, many clinical trials for these treatments have unfortunately been largely unsuccessful.