Neuroprotective and neurorestorative strategies for neuronal injury

Mechanisms of neuronal cell death in apoptosis and necrosis are examined. Neurotoxic processes underlying cellular destruction may involve N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation and/or activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase but the depletion of energy and generation of free radicals appears to be critical. In Alzheimer's disease the damaging effects of peroxynitrite and exposure to beta-amyloid peptide is evident. Mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in several neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease as well as Alzheimer's disease and in these disorders the innovations offered by techniques ranging from transgenic mouse models of the disorder to cell culture preparations are remarkable. Agents of neuroprotection and neurorestoration possess either characteristics specific to particular disorders or have a general applicability or both. The vast array of agents available are for the most part the objectives of laboratory examinations but an increasing selection of compounds are reaching the clinical necessities thereby influencing current strategic notions to modify tactical contingencies. Among the agents listed are included: inhibitors of the enzyme poly-ADP-ribose polymerase, inhibition of apoptotic cell death, agents acting on mitochondrial permeability transition, excitatory amino acid antagonists, applications of neurotrophins, immunophilins, agents influencing heme oxygenase-1 expression and iron sequestration in aging astroglia, improvements in mitochondrial energy production or buffering, and finally dopaminemimetics with differential affinities for dopamine receptors.