Mitochondria As a Target for Neuroprotection

Despite extensive efforts of modern medicine and biomedical sciences, effective therapeutic treatments that restore functions of the brain lost after a stroke have not been found yet. At the same time, experimental preclinical studies have revealed an arsenal of effectors having potential for clinical applications. Identification of key signaling pathways, both damaging and protective, can accelerate the development and implementation of new effective neuroprotectors. One key element of these pathways is the mitochondrion. In this study we explored various therapeutic approaches for the treatment and prevention of cerebral ischemia, which are aimed at modulation of mitochondrial functions. The spectrum of tested neuroprotectors included antioxidants, uncouplers of respiration and phosphorylation, as well as ischemic, remote, and pharmacological preconditioning. Their efficacy and the duration of the therapeutic window were compared and a possibility of combination of different methods in order to maximize their efficiency was considered.