EXPERIMENTAL NEURONAL PROTECTION IN CEREBRAL-ISCHEMIA .2. POTENTIAL NEUROPROTECTIVE DRUGS

The search for agents that could protect neurons from ischaemia-induce d death has largely been based upon knowledge of the pathophysiologica l events that cause neuronal damage, Thus, the main classes of drug th at have been tested iu animal experiments include ion channel blockers , those targeting neurotransmitter receptors, calpain inhibitors, inhi bitors of enzymes in the arachidonic acid cascade, antagonists of plat elet-activating factor, antioxidants and antagonists of inflammatory c ytokines, The therapeutic potential of neurotrophins, growth factors a nd gangliosides has also been explored, As this review indicates, near ly all of these drugs have demonstrable neuroprotective capabilities, Broad spectrum neuroprotective drug appear to have more potential than specifically targeted drug, a finding which is in keeping with the mu ltifactorial nature of ischaemia-induced neuronal death. (C) Pearson P rofessional Ltd 1997.