Because stroke is essentially a disease of the vessels and blood flow, the most fundamental aspects of ischemic blood flow in the brain are under investigation by researchers. Their work was the focus of the sixth in the series of Keio University International Symposia for Life Sciences and Medicine, held in Tokyo in 1999. Selected here are 55 papers from the symposium, covering the buffy coat (glycocalyx) of endothelial cells, the blood-brain barrier and permeability, gene expression, vascular reactivity, dysregulation, inflammatory deterioration, cortical spreading depression, edema, microvascular derangement, and pathology, in ten major sections. The book includes the thought-provoking discussions that followed the presentations, thus providing an invaluable source of up-to-date information not only for researchers investigating microcirculation but also for clinicians implementing the most effective treatment for stroke patients.

The Ischemic Penumbra presents the current status of concepts and research on this topic and identifies the latest methods for clinicians to quickly and efficiently recognize viable cerebral tissue for enhanced stroke management. Focusing on state-of-the-science technologies and current trends, the book examines imaging strategies utilizing PET, SP

This book provides a comprehensive clinical review of the diagnosis and treatment of patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease. The book includes chapters on the clinical features of transient ischemic attacks and ischemic stroke, risk factors, and evaluations. Additional chapters discuss causes of stroke including atherosclerosis, cardioembolism, non-atherosclerotic vasculopathies, and pro-thrombotic disorders. The causes of stroke in children and young adults are highlighted. The final section of the book includes chapters on therapies to prevent stroke, acute stroke treatment, general management of the patient with recurrent stroke, and rehabilitation. The volume is heavily referenced with an emphasis on recent publications so that the reader can pursue additional information about a topic. It also includes several tables and algorithms that should aid the clinician treating patients with cerebrovascular disease.

'... Provides an admirable review of current knowledge regarding experimental stroke research, and outlines the problems and some solutions in the clinical application of such knowledge.'

A critical and comprehensive look at current state-of-the-art scientific and translational research being conducted internationally, in academia and industry, to address new ways to provide effective treatment to victims of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and other ischemic diseases. Currently stroke can be successfully treated through the administration of a thrombolytic, but the therapeutic window is short and many patients are not able to receive treatment. Only about 30% of patients are "cured" by available treatments. In 5 sections, the proposed volume will explore historical and novel neuroprotection mechanisms and targets, new and combination therapies, as well as clinical trial design for some of the recent bench-side research.

The publication of the Vth International Symposium 1995 on "Mechanisms of Secondary Brain Damage" in Mauls/ltaly is a collection of focused reviews reaching from novel molecular- and cell biological findings to aspects of clinical management in head injury and cerebral ischemia. A specific purpose of these series of meetings introduced in 1984 is for an exchange on problems of mutual interest by international high ranking experts from the basic sciences and related clinical disciplines, such as intensive care medicine, neurology, or neurosurgery. The present volume covers three major areas: (a) Molecular and cell biological mechanisms including inflammation (b) Novel findings on mechanisms and treatment in cerebral ischemia (c) Secondary processes in head injury, regeneration and treatment Molecular-and cell biology is currently attracting attention towards activation of genomic processes associated with the demise of cells referred to as "programmed cell death" and "apoptosis" which, actually, might be distinguished from each other. Thus, the phenomenon of delayed neuronal death in selectively vulnerable brain areas following brief interruption of blood flow is scrutinized as to the contribution of the activation of suicide genes. The physiological role of such a response, among others, is removal of surplus neurons during ontogenesis of the brain. Yet, evidence is accumulating that similar mechanisms playa role in cerebral ischemia, probably also trauma, where nerve-and other cells demonstrate features of apoptosis. Observations on protection of neurons by administration of protein synthesis inhibitors in cerebral ischemia provide more direct support.

First isolated as a chemical compound by a Russian chemist in 1866, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) proved to be a near-perfect solvent for decades before its remarkable biological and medical activities were discovered. DMSO is one of the most prodigious agents ever to come out of the world of drug development. Its wide range of biological actions invol