Neuroprotective agents.

Abstract

Although basic research has revealed many mechanisms involved in the repair or elimination of damaged neurons, turning these mechanisms into clinically useful neuroprotective interventions is a slow process. Numerous neurotrophic factors seem to mediate neuronal repair and viability, but because the neurotrophic factors are proteins or polypeptides, they cannot be given orally and do not enter the brain if given intravenously. Tapping into the neuroprotective potential of the neurotrophic factor mechanisms must await further developments. Similarly, pharmacological agents that protect damaged neurons by reducing glutamate excitotoxicity, by scavenging free radicals, or by increasing adenosine inhibitory influences, are not ready yet for widespread clinical use. Also, appropriate therapeutic protocols for currently available neuroprotective agents such as vitamin E, selegiline, and NSAIDs remain to be determined. Given the rate of advance of research in this area, however, meaningful neuroprotection and neurorescue will be attainable in the very near future. In the meantime, neuron damaging oxidative stress can be kept in check by insuring adequate dietary sources of antioxidants. Although there is as yet little or no scientific evidence that dietary antioxidants are neuroprotective, the consumption of high antioxidant foods, such as blueberries and strawberries, is appealing to most people regardless of any neuroprotective potential.