Abstract

ESTRADA ROJO, Francisco et al. Neuroprotection and traumatic brain injury. Rev. Fac. Med. (Méx.) [online]. 2012, vol.55, n.4, pp.16-29. ISSN 2448-4865.

During a process of brain injury, e.g. head injury, responses to induce brain damage and / or cell death are activated, but also protective responses that attempt to maintain the integrity and functionality of the brain are induced. This is known as neuroprotection. Indeed a head injury triggers mechanisms that result in release of excitatory neurotransmitters such as glutamate, which causes an influx of Ca²+ into neurons, activation of proteases, lipases, nitric oxide synthase, endonucleases, free radicals production and potentially necrosis and / or apoptosis. Although the brain or neuroprotective substances research has more than 50 years, is at the end of the decade of 80's of last century when it began to appear a large number of publications trying to understand the neuroprotective mechanisms triggered by an insult to the brain. In this paper we briefly review the concept, epidemiology and strategies that have been used to minimize the damage caused by brain injury.

Keywords : neuroprotection; traumatic brain injury; antiexcitotoxic; neurosteroids; antiinflammatory.

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