Gaps Between Aims and Achievements in Therapeutic Modification of Neuronal Damage ("Neuroprotection").

ABSTRACT: The term "neuroprotection" is often misused, overused, or misunderstood. A reasonable definition of neuroprotection refers to the preservation of "neuronal structure and/or function." Although our knowledge about the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration has expanded, experimental systems and animal models that mimic the process or allow translation into clinical success remain limited. This editorial discusses reasons for this gap and strategies to close it. Experimental models can only mirror certain aspects of disease mechanisms in humans. Therefore, findings in these models need to be linked with patient data to improve real-life relevance. Successful neuroprotection depends on finding the right "window of opportunity" which varies from very short (stroke) to very long

SUBMITTER: Wiendl H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4404462 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature