Neurochemical exploration for therapeutic advancements in stroke

Neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, gasotransmitters, and hormones play crucial roles in stroke pathophysiology. The impact of the neurochemicals on several cellular processes and signaling pathways can either alleviate or worsen stroke outcomes. Conventional stroke therapies are mainly focused on restoring blood flow and ameliorating neuronal damage which has led to unsuccessful clinical trials, so exploring new targets can pave a new pathway in stroke therapeutics. With an insight into the connections between neurochemicals and their actions, various new potential drug targets for stroke therapeutics may be developed. This review presents a novel, integrative perspective by mapping the dynamic roles of diverse neurochemical systems across multiple stroke subtypes and stages, and identifying underexplored therapeutic opportunities. In addition to critically summarizing existing knowledge, we highlight emerging neurochemical targets and mechanisms that could lead to next-generation stroke therapies. This comprehensive overview aims to guide future preclinical and clinical research efforts toward effective neurochemical modulation in stroke treatment.