Experimental neuronal protection in cerebral ischaemia Part II: Potential neuroprotective drugs

The search for agents that could protect neurons from ischaemia-induced death has largely been based upon knowledge of the pathophysiological events that cause neuronal damage. Thus, the main classes of drugs that have been tested in animal experiments include ion channel blockers, those targeting neurotransmitter receptors, calpain inhibitors, inhibitors of enzymes in the arachidonic acid cascade, antagonists of platelet-activating factor, antioxidants and antagonists of inflammatory cytokines. The therapeutic potential of neurotrophins, growth factors and gangliosides has also been explored. As this review indicates, nearly all of these drugs have demonstrable neuroprotective capabilities. Broad spectrum neuroprotective drugs appear to have more potential than specifically targeted drugs, a finding which is in keeping with the multifactorial nature of ischaemia-induced neuronal death.