Mechanisms of neuronal cell injury/death and targets for drug intervention

The loss of neurons is responsible for many acute neurological disorders, as well as many chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Drug discovery research has concentrated on blocking necrosis produced by activation of one or more excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors. Both receptor antagonists and compounds reducing EAA release are currently in clinical trials. With the recent advances in the understanding of apoptosis new strategies for neuroprotection are also emerging. It is anticipated that clinically useful neuroprotective drugs will soon be available for treatment of a range of CNS disorders. This article reviews some of the mechanisms responsible for neuronal cell death and outlines strategies to block calcium overload and free radical production.