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Central nervous system agents for ischemic stroke: neuroprotection mechanisms
Rachna S Pandya1, Lijuan Mao, Hua Zhou
1Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurosurgery, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
|April 28, 2011
Summary
Developing neuroprotective agents is crucial for treating ischemic stroke, the leading cause of disability. This review explores central nervous system agents targeting apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress to improve outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the US, with ischemic stroke accounting for 85% of cases.
- Current treatments like tissue plasminogen activator have a narrow therapeutic window, highlighting the need for effective neuroprotective therapies.
- The ischemic cascade involves complex mechanisms such as apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and specific mediators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review central nervous system agents for neuroprotection against ischemic stroke.
- To focus on agents that counteract key pathways like apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidation.
- To examine glutamate inhibitors and their neuroprotective potential.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on neuroprotective agents for ischemic stroke.
- Analysis of agents targeting biochemical pathways and mediators of the ischemic cascade.
- Evaluation of studies in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro.
Main Results:
- Several agents targeting apoptosis, inflammation, oxidation, and glutamate have shown neuroprotective effects.
- These agents have demonstrated improved neurological outcomes in experimental models of ischemic stroke.
- The findings suggest potential for reducing long-term morbidity and mortality.
Conclusions:
- Targeting specific mechanisms and mediators of the ischemic cascade offers a promising therapeutic strategy.
- Central nervous system agents reviewed show potential for neuroprotection and improved outcomes after ischemic stroke.
- Further development of these agents could lead to effective treatments for ischemic stroke.
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