Neuroinflammation and neuroprotective strategies in acute ischaemic stroke - from bench to bedside

Cerebrovascular disease is one of the commonest causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Over the past two decades, a tremendous amount of research has been undertaken into developing effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment of acute stroke. Unfortunately, many neuroprotective agents that have shown successful results in treating animal models of acute stroke have failed to translate into clinical treatments. Only tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) is currently licensed for use in the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke. One of the important pathophysiological mechanisms involved during the acute phase of stroke is neuroinflammation. This review article will discuss the molecular aspects of neuroinflammation in acute ischaemic stroke and potential therapeutic strategies as part of translational medicine research.