[1] Since it was discovered, it has been used for the treatment of cerebral vasospasm, which is often due to subarachnoid hemorrhage,[2] as well as to improve the cognitive decline seen in stroke patients.

[9] ROCK is an enzyme that plays an important role in mediating vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension.

By inhibiting ROCK with fasudil, circulating ACE and Ang-II are reduced, leading to a decrease in pulmonary vascular pressure.

[11] The proliferative effects of ROCK on vascular endothelial cells is due to the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK).

[12] In addition to ROCK inhibition, fasudil has also been demonstrated to directly modulate the aggregation of α-synuclein, both in vitro and in cellular models of neurodegenerative disease.