Towards a new paradigm in neuroprotection and neuroplasticity

Abstract

Neurologists are confronted with more and more new information regarding the intimate processes taking place in both the normal and pathological brain. This chapter briefly reviews some of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases and the ways to bind them with therapy principles. It is becoming increasingly clear that using neuroprotective molecules with only one mechanism of action is a utopian idea. It is still not easy to find the correct therapeutic approach for neurological disorders, especially because we do not deeply understand all endogenous basic biological processes, the complete nature of pathophysiological processes and the links between these two categories. In particular, concepts like neurotrophicity, neuroprotection, neuroplasticity, neurogenesis and anoikis, as well as their clinical utility, may be daunting. Even more specifically, there are many points in the pathophysiological cascade where pharmacological intervention might be beneficial. Comprehensive research of multimodal drugs and combination therapy, followed by appropriate clinical use, should be encouraged. Although the majority of scientific data available in the present chapter are referring mainly to vascular and neurodegenerative disorders, they can be easily extrapolated to other different pathologies.