The last decades of the past century have brought relentless progress in molecular genetics, opening dramatic opportunities for modifying human life by gene therapy or by cloning new human beings. In this frenzy of new discoveries the names of Cecile and Oskar Vogt, who one hundred years ago envisaged these developments and laid the foundation for modern, genetically oriented neuroscience, have been practically forgotten. This makes most timely the treatise by Igor Klatzo, who spent several years with the Vogts at their Brain Research Institute in the Black Forest, Germany, and then continued his brain research as the Chief of the Laboratory of Neuropathology and Neuroanatomical Sciences at the NIH in Bethesda, MD. Klatzo brings, in addition to the recognition of the Vogts' greatness in pioneering modern brain research, a lively picture of their personalities, which includes their struggles against the rigid rules of society, and political suppression, the latter associated with the risk of their lives.

The Maturation Phenomenon, first described by Ito et al. in 1975, refers to post ischemic changes that develop hours or days after an ischemic insult. The delayed neuronal death of CAl pyramidal cells of the hippocampus is a classic example. The report of the phenomenon boosted research in the field, as it became evi dent that ischemic damage is not a sudden event but a process potentially suscep tible to therapeutic intervention. In September 1990, Ito and collaborators organized the First International Sym posium on "Maturation Phenomenon in Cerebral Ischemia" which was held in To kyo, Japan. The Second Symposium was organized in Tokyo, Japan in March/April 1996. The Third Symposium was held in Pozzilli, Italy in April 1998 and the Fourth Symposium was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA in October/Novem ber 1999. This book contains the presentations of the Fifth International Workshop on Maturation Phenomenon in Cerebral Ischemia held at the Rimrock Resort Ho tel in Banff, Alberta, Canada on April 28-May 1, 2002. It outlines the present sta tus of investigations and provides further stimulation for research in this field. The Maturation Phenomenon represents a continuing struggle for survival be tween the acceleration of tissue or neuronal death and the activation of defense mechanisms leading to neuronal recovery. The elucidation of these mechanisms is important for developing the ability to manipulate them during a long-lasting "therapeutic window".

The maturation phenomenon, first described by Ito et al. in 1975, refers to postischemic changes that develop hours or days after an ischemic insult. The delayed neuronal death of CA1 pyramidal cells of the hippocampus is a classic example. The report of the phenomenon boosted research in the field, as it became evident that ischemic damage is not a sudden event, but a process potentially susceptible to therapeutic intervention. Since then a growing number of studies have improved our knowledge on mechanisms of cell death and recovery. This volume contains the presentations of the 4th international symposium, held in New Orleans in October/November 1999, grouped in sections covering apoptosis and/or necrosis, neuronal recovery vs. death, and protection against infarction. It outlines the present status of investigations and provides further stimulation for research in this field.

It has been well recognized that following an ischemic insult many nerve cells of the brain are not killed outright, but may suffer a "delayed neuronal death" or even recover. This led to the concept of "maturation phenomenon" with its main implication that the maturation of ischemic lesions may provide a "window of opportunity" i.e. a period of time when the injury to neuronal elements is still reversible, and during which an application of proper therapeutic measures might be successful. The symposium on Maturation Phenomenon in Cerebral Ischemia was the first international meeting focussed primarily on this subject and the resulting publication contains presentations and discussionsby prominent researchers engaged in this field. This book should stimulate further research on potential of brain tissue for recovery, and particularly with regard to a functional recovery of neurons suffering from chronic ischemic injury.