The purpose of the study is to assess the efficacy of a new serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) nin functional recovery after ischemic stroke.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female patient, 18 to 80 years of age
• Confirmed acute ischemic stroke within the past 2 - 10 days
• Unilateral motor deficit,
• National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) motor score >= 5
• Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 4 or 5
• Able and willing to comply with the site rehabilitation program requirements

Exclusion Criteria:

• Aphasia
• Severe post-stroke condition
• Active depressive episode
• Intra-cerebral hemorrhage
• Use of anti-depressant drugs
• Cardiac rhythm disorder
• Uncontrolled arterial hypertension
• Other severe acute or chronic medical or psychiatric condition.