Enhancing recovery from ischemic stroke.
Despite the intense efforts devoted to preventing and aborting cerebral ischemia, some individuals will continue to have completed infarctions. Failure of prevention or intervention does not, however, preclude therapeutic approaches to enhance recovery. This article will review working definitions applicable to the care and rehabilitation of patients after ischemic stroke. Significant, preliminary research on how adrenergic systems may alter the recovery from cerebral damage is also reviewed. Beneficial effects of agents which promote adrenergic function, and the adverse effects of monoaminergic blockade in animals and humans are discussed. The potential role of synaptic mechanisms like long-term potentiation is reviewed in the context of motor recovery. These factors are likely to have important implications in the future acute care of patients with completed stroke.
Geldmacher
D S
DS
Cerebrovascular Center, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D018663:Adrenergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018663:Adrenergic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs