title: Current status of neuroprotective agents in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
abstract: To keep ischemic brain cells alive, neuroprotective agents target events in the ischemic cascade that might be injurious to the cells. They can be divided broadly into groups that restore ion balance, block receptors, prevent reperfusion injury, or promote neuronal healing. To date, neuroprotective agents have either shown a lack of efficacy in clinical stroke trials or been limited by side effects. Ongoing clinical trials with novel agents are trying to enroll a more homogeneous population of stroke patients in an effort to demonstrate treatment benefit.
authors.affiliation: Oregon Stroke Center, Oregon Health Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, CR 131, Portland, OR 97201, USA. lutseph@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Lutsep
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D007473:Ion Channels; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents