This volume is a review which presents both a basic science and clinical perspective on neuroprotective approaches to acute and chronic neurodegenerative conditions. Experts from both fields review current areas of neuroprotection. The book describes basic science discovery in stroke research and the application of such research within the pharmaceutical industry leading to the development of neuroprotective drugs.

In the past few years, the Fondation IPSEN has been increasing its activity in the neurosciences, especially by supporting researchers working on Alzheimer's disease. This interest in the subject is demonstrated by a prize and a fellowship, which have been awarded each year since 1985, a monthly newsletter, and a series of Colloques Medecine et Recherche and their proceedings which are distributed world-wide. Since 1990, our effort in the field of neuroscience has been considerably enhanced. A new series of Colloques Medecine et Recherche has been devoted to this topic. Like the meetings on Alzheimer's disease, this series will deal with the most current research. Glutamate -the subject we chose for the first meeting of this series - is an excellent example since it has a major role in many physiological or pathological situations. This book contains the proceedings of the meeting which was held in Paris on September 24, 1990. As for the proceedings of the meeting on Alzheimer's disease - published in the series Research and Perspectives in Alzheimer's disease -these meetings will be reported in a new series, distributed at an international level, Research and Perspectives in Neurosciences. The second meeting on neurosciences is scheduled for September 23, 1991, and will be held in Paris. It will be dedicated to Gene transfer and therapy in the nervous system (Organizing Committee: F. Gage, La Jolla; Y. Christen, Paris).

In this book, an international group of investigators from a broad array of clinical and basic disciplines present the ideas and concepts in the foreground of cerebrovascular disease. Included in their discussion are perspectives on topics that continue to guide current investigations, such as white matter injury, newer imaging approaches, delayed neuronal death, and recovery after stroke, as well as continuing disagreements on the value of heparin or MRI endpoints in the management of stroke patients. Further topics include a proposal for a major multicenter re-study of the utility of extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery in light of additional diagnostic information available through PET scanning; examination of how processes such as apoptosis, inflammation, free radicals, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase activation, and alterations in glutamate receptor function contribute to the pathogenesis of ischemic brain injury; and finally an exploration of how estrogens or cholesterol-lowering agents might be used therapeutically.