Excitotoxic mechanisms in stroke: an update of concepts and treatment strategies

Cerebral damage as a consequence of glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity represents a major consequence of stroke. However, the development of effective clinical treatments for this potentially devastating condition has been largely unsuccessful to date, despite promising basic research. This review will focus on the latest advances in our understanding of the excitotoxic process including the release of glutamate as a neurotransmitter and the potential contribution of complexins, the important role of astrocytes, including its involvement in glutamate uptake, alterations in glutamate transporter levels, reversed glutamate uptake, and the vesicular release of glutamate. Recent progress in our understanding of the involvement of excitotoxicity in white matter injury following ischemic insults is also discussed, as is oxidative stress and ischemic tolerance, along with an update on the use of treatment strategies with potential therapeutic benefit including stimulation of neurogenesis. Such key issues are at the heart of future interventions directed at limiting the extent of the excitotoxic process, and remain a viable consideration for effective stroke management.