| 1. |
- Endres, Matthias, et al.
(author)
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Improving outcome after stroke: Overcoming the translational roadblock
- 2008
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In: Cerebrovascular Diseases. - : S. Karger AG. - 1421-9786 .- 1015-9770. ; 25:3, s. 268-278
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Stroke poses a massive burden of disease, yet we have few effective therapies. The paucity of therapeutic options stands contrary to intensive research efforts. The failure of these past investments demands a thorough re-examination of the pathophysiology of ischaemic brain injury. Several critical areas hold the key to overcoming the translational roadblock: (1) vascular occlusion: current recanalization strategies have limited effectiveness and may have serious side effects; (2) complexity of stroke pathobiology: therapy must acknowledge the 'Janus-faced' nature of many stroke targets and must identify endogenous neuroprotective and repair mechanisms; repair; stroke outcome is modulated by the interaction of the injured brain with the immune system; (4) regeneration: the potential of the brain for reorganization, plasticity and repair after injury is much greater than previously thought; (5) confounding factors, long-term outcome and predictive modelling. These 5 areas are linked on all levels and therefore need to be tackled by an integrative approach and innovative therapeutic strategies.
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| 2. |
- Ruscher, Karsten, et al.
(author)
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Neuroprotective effects of the beta-carboline abecarnil studied in cultured cortical neurons and organotypic retinal cultures.
- 2007
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In: Neuropharmacology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-7064 .- 0028-3908. ; 52:7, s. 1488-1495
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Presently there is no neuroprotective pharmacological treatment of proven clinical safety and efficacy available. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the ss-carboline, abecarnil (Abe), which has already passed clinical phase III trials in patients with anxiety disorders, is neuroprotective in in vitro models of cerebral ischemia or excitotoxicity. Abe (100 nM) protected cultured cortical neurons when applied 20 min before or 20 min after combined oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). Furthermore, cultured cortical neurons were protected from NMDA excitotoxicity when Abe (100 nM) was administered 20 min before or concurrent with 100 mu M NMDA. In contrast, in adult rat organotypic retinal cultures, Abe failed to protect retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) against glutamate (Glu) excitotoxicity. Thus, although our data demonstrate that Abe is a potential neuroprotectant in cultured neurons, the lack of effect in an organotypical model of Glu toxicity indicates that further study is required before Abe might be considered for human neuroprotection trials. 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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