The rationale for new therapies in acute ischaemic stroke.
Although stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, it is only relatively recently that a concerted effort has been made to develop acute treatments. Thrombolytics, such as recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), may benefit selected patients within 3 h of cerebral infarction. CUrrently, rt-PA is only licensed for use in the United States. Many potential strategies for neuroprotection exist and are currently under investigation. Because the mechanisms of neurotoxicity involve numerous interdependent processes, it may be that the interpretation of a single site in the cascade of events is insufficient to provide effective neuroprotection. Drugs acting at several sites in the neurotoxic cascade may be more effective, and the results of Phase III studies with the novel neoroprotectant lubeluzole are anticipated.
Dyker
A G
AG
University Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, U.K.
Lees
K R
KR
D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013844:Thiazoles; D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator; C097722:lubeluzole