Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the US. Although there has been significant progress in the area of medical and surgical thrombolytic technologies, neuroprotective agents to prevent secondary cerebral injury and to minimize disability remain limited. Only limited success has been reported in preclinical and clinical trials evaluating a variety of compounds. In this review, the authors discuss the most up-to-date information regarding the underlying molecular biology of stroke as well as strategies that aim to mitigate this complex signaling cascade. Results of historical research trials involving N-methyl-d-aspartate and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptor antagonists, clomethiazole, antioxidants, citicoline, nitric oxide, and immune regulators have laid the groundwork for current progress. In addition, more recent studies involving therapeutic hypothermia, magnesium, albumin, glyburide, uric acid, and a variety of other treatments have provided more options. The use of neuroprotective agents in combination or with existing thrombolytic treatments may be one of many exciting areas of further development. Although past trials of neuroprotective agents in ischemic stroke have been limited, significant insights into mechanisms of stroke, animal models, and trial design have incrementally improved approaches for future therapies.
Keywords: AMPA = α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate; ATP = adenosine 5′-triphosphate; GABA = γ-aminobutyric acid; IL = interleukin; NIHSS = National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; NMDA = N-methyl-d-aspartate; RCT = randomized controlled trial; SUR1-TRPM4 = sulfonylurea receptor 1–transient receptor potential melastatin 4; TPA = tissue plasminogen activator; cerebrovascular accident; intracerebral hemorrhage; intraparenchymal hemorrhage; mRS = modified Rankin Scale; neuroprotection; stroke.