Neuroprotective adaptations in hibernation: Therapeutic implications for ischemia-reperfusion, traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases

Brains of hibernating mammals are protected against a variety of insults th at are detrimental to humans and other nonhibernating species. Such protect ion is associated with a number of physiological adaptations including hypo thermia, increased antioxidant defense, metabolic arrest, leukocytopenia, i mmunosuppression, and hypocoagulation. It is intriguing that similar manipu lations provide considerable protection as experimental treatments for cent ral nervous system injury. This review focuses on neuroprotective mechanism s employed during hibernation that may offer novel approaches in the treatm ent of stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases in hu mans. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc.