Neuroprotection - Drugs, Markets and Companies

This report describes the role of neuroprotection in acute disorders such as stroke and injuries of the nervous system as well as in chronic diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders because many of the underlying mechanisms of damage to neural tissues are similar in all these conditions and several products are used in more than one disorder. Over 500 products have been investigated for neuroprotective effects including those from the categories of free radical scavengers, anti-excitotoxic agents, apoptosis (programmed cell death) inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, neurotrophic factors, metal ion chelators, ion channel modulators and gene therapy. Some of the agents are old established pharmaceuticals whereas others are new biotechnology products.

Pathomechanisms of diseases are described with steps at which neuroprotective therapies are directed. Diseases covered include cerebrovascular disorders, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and ischemic optic neuropathy as well as retinal degeneration. Although anesthetics such as propofol are neuroprotective as well, neuroprotection during surgery and anesthesia is discussed with the aim of preventing and treating complications that result in CNS damage.

The report contains a profile of 131 companies that have a neuroprotective product or products along with 89 collaborations. Some of the products in development at academic institutions that do not have a commercial sponsor are also included. Although an up-to-date search of the literature was performed and selected 840 references are included, a considerable amount of information has not been published anywhere else. Clinical trials of various neuroprotective agents are described and failures of trials in stroke and head injury are analyzed with suggestions for improving the selection of drugs and design of trials.The report is supplemented with 60 tables and 10 figures.

Market analysis of currently used productsthat have a neuroprotective effect are analyzed for the year 2007. Some of these products are approved for other indications but are known to have a neuroprotective effect. With the approval of new products and takeover of markets for obsolete symptomatic therapies, the neuroprotection market value will rise by the year 2012 when it will constitute a major and important component of the CNS market. Forecasts are made until 2017. By that time neuroprotection will be an established part of the neurological practice and measures will be available to achieve this effectively.

Table of contents

Introduction

Neuroprotective agents

Neuroprotection in cerebrovascular disease

Neuroprotection in CNS Trauma

Neuroprotection for neurodegenerative disorders

Neuroprotection in miscellaneous neurological disorders

Neuroprotection during Anesthesia and Surgery

Commercial aspects of neuroprotective therapy

Companies involved in developing neuroprotective therapies

References

May 2008. 540 Pages. 60 Tables, 10 Figures, 131 Companies profiled, 89 Alliances listed and 850 References.
Table of Contents
Full Table of Contents - Part 1 (PDF)

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