The Role of Citicoline in Neuroprotection and Neurorepair in Ischemic Stroke

Advances in acute stroke therapy resulting from thrombolytic treatment, endovascular procedures, and stroke units have improved significantly stroke survival and prognosis; however, for the large majority of patients lacking access to advanced therapies stroke mortality and residual morbidity remain...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Álvarez Sabín, José|||0000-0002-8054-9209, Román, Gustavo C.
Format: article
Publication Date:2013
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repository:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:167621
Online Access:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/167621
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.3390/brainsci3031395
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Citicoline
Neuroprotection
Neurorepair
Ischemic stroke
Hemorrhagic stroke
Vascular dementia
Vascular cognitive disorders
Neurogenesis
Synaptogenesis
Neuronal plasticity
Description
Summary:Advances in acute stroke therapy resulting from thrombolytic treatment, endovascular procedures, and stroke units have improved significantly stroke survival and prognosis; however, for the large majority of patients lacking access to advanced therapies stroke mortality and residual morbidity remain high and many patients become incapacitated by motor and cognitive deficits, with loss of independence in activities of daily living. Therefore, over the past several years, research has been directed to limit the brain lesions produced by acute ischemia (neuroprotection) and to increase the recovery, plasticity and neuroregenerative processes that complement rehabilitation and enhance the possibility of recovery and return to normal functions (neurorepair). Citicoline has therapeutic effects at several stages of the ischemic cascade in acute ischemic stroke and has demonstrated efficiency in a multiplicity of animal models of acute stroke. Long-term treatment with citicoline is safe and effective, improving post-stroke cognitive decline and enhancing patients' functional recovery. Prolonged citicoline administration at optimal doses has been demonstrated to be remarkably well tolerated and to enhance endogenous mechanisms of neurogenesis and neurorepair contributing to physical therapy and rehabilitation.