According to a new research by the Ohio State University Vitamin E can help nerve cells remain alive post a stroke if function of an enzyme present in the brain is blocked.

Researchers found during a study that used brain cells of a mouse that a form of Vitamin E tocotrienol, or TCT, an alternative to the popular drugstore supplement, helped put a stop to the enzyme from releasing fatty acids that ultimately kill neurons.

Chandan Sen, professor and vice chair for research in Ohio State's Department of Surgery and senior author of the study said, "Our research suggests that the different forms of natural vitamin E have distinct functions. The relatively poorly studied tocotrienol form of natural vitamin E targets specific pathways to protect against neural cell death and rescues the brain after stroke injury. Here, we identify a novel target for tocotrienol that explains how neural cells are protected."

Tocopherols are the best form of Vitamin E which otherwise occurs in eight different forms.

The research has already appeared online and is further scheduled for later print publication in the Journal of Neurochemistry.