Current status of neuroprotective agents in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

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.