The area of the penumbra : neuroplasticity and therapeutic target in acute ischemic stroke

• Published in: Buletin de psihiatrie integrativa Vol. 79; no. 4; pp. 59 - 65
• Main Authors: Popescu, Alexandra, Hodorog, Diana, Găină, Marcel-Alexandru, Constantinescu, Victor, Cuciureanu, Dan I, CUCIUREANU, Tudor
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Editura Sedcom Libris Iasi 2018; Sedcom Libris Publishing House Iasi
• Subjects: Psychology; Social Sciences; stroke; penumbra area; neuroplasticity
• ISSN: 2393-2694; 2393-2694

Stroke represents a major public health problem. The penumbra area has evolved from a simple anatomical and pathophysiological element to a target in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke and all interventions aim to preserve its viability. A thorough understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms that occur after the vascular occlusion opens new research directions for the discovery of certain neuroprotective molecules that could stop infarct progression in the penumbra area. We have conducted a research in the specialized literature regarding the most recent studies on the penumbra area, with reference both to the progress made in the field of neuroplasticity and in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Data on neuroplasticity is numerous, predominantly experimental, but also clinical. The obtained conclusions are encouraging, although the diversity of the experimental methods and the difficulties of transposing the data from the experimental models to humans do not always allow certain assertions. Regarding the reperfusion treatment, the latest studies concerning the endovascular therapy promise a protocol change in the acute phase, with a net improvement in patient prognosis.