Targeting the central nervous system inflammatory response in ischemic stroke

In experimental models of stroke, inflammation appears to contribute to cerebral ischemic injury. Clinical trials that are aimed at limiting the postischemic inflammatory response, however, have thus far had disappointing results. These clinical failures probably reflect the fact that there has been insufficient preclinical data and inadequate trial design, rather than provide evidence against a role for inflammation in ischemic brain injury. Curr Opin Neurol 14:349-353. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.