Journal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism : official journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism
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Stroke has enormous clinical, social, and economic implications, and demands a significant effort from both basic and clinical science in the search for successful therapies. Atherosclerosis, the pathologic process underlying most coronary artery disease and the majority of ischemic stroke in humans, is an inflammatory process. Complex interactions occur between the classic risk factors for atherosclerosis and its clinical consequences. ⋯ It seems likely that drugs currently used in the treatment of stroke, such as aspirin, statins, and modulators of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, act at least partly via antiinflammatory mechanisms. Newer approaches have included antimicrobial and antileukocyte strategies. One of the most promising avenues may be the use of cytokine antagonism, for example, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.