Understanding and managing ischemic stroke

Transient or permanent focal brain injury following acute thromboembolic oc clusion develops from a complex cascade of pathophysiological events. The p rocesses of excitotoxicity, peri-infarct depolarisation, inflammation, and apoptosis within the ischemic penumbra are proposed. While the translation of therapeutic agents from the animal models to human clinical trials have been disappointing, there remains an atmosphere of optimism as a result of the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, which include physiological, as opposed to pharmacological, intervention. This article p rovides an insight into the understanding of cerebral ischemia, together wi th current and future treatment strategies.