Neuroprotection aims to prevent neuronal injury, ideally with preservation of function.
Many neurological disorders, including ischemic, traumatic, or degenerative insults, share common features of destruction of neurons mediated by similar pathophysiological mechanisms including apoptosis (programmed cell death), increased release of excitotoxic amino acids, (particularly glutamate), intracellular accumulation of calcium, oxidative stress by radical oxygen species, and inflammatory reactions accompanied by infiltration of cells and production of cytokines. It has been shown that neurons, like many other cells, have the potential to regenerate. The concept of pharmacologic neuroprotection is directed at halting or possibly reversing general mechanisms of cell death, especially apoptosis, and restoring or regenerating cell function rather than treating specific disease entities.