Many nerve cells of the brain which are not killed outright may suffer delayed death or recovery after ischemic insult. This fact has led to the concept of "maturation phenomenon" of neuronal injuries. Since the 1st International Symposium on Maturation Phenomenon in 1990, new developments, particularly in molecular biology, have been rapidly bringing new information about molecular nature and mechanisms of cell death. This book contains the presentations of the 2nd International Symposium held in Tokyo in April 1996. The latest developments in maturation phenomenon and the present status of investigation are described and further stimulation of research in this field is provided.

I Role of Genetic Expression - Changes in Maturation Phenomenon

Molecular Approaches to Neuronal Functions and Neuronal Cell Death
Evolution of Gene Expression in Hippocampus Following Focal and Global Ischemia
Synaptic Messengers, Inflammatory Mediators, and Neuronal Plasticity in Cerebral Ischemia
Ischemic Neuronal Injury and Gene Expression of Facilitative and Inhibitory Growth Factors
Is Apoptosis Involved in Glutamate Neurotoxicity?
II Factors and Mechanisms Enhancing Susceptibility or Tolerance
Glutamate Enhances Brain Damage from Ischemia and Trauma
Glutamate-Mediated Mechanisms in Delayed Neuronal Death After Cerebral Ischemia
Neuroprotection by Drug-Induced Neurotrophic Factors
Stress Response and Ischemic Tolerance in the Brain
Preconditioning Depresses Excitatory Cell Signaling Following the Second Ischemic Insult
Electrophysiological Evaluation of Ischemic Tolerance Phenomenon
Transient Ischemia Depletes Free Ubiquitin in the Gerbil Hippocampal CA1 Neurons
Insight into the Protective Mechanisms of Cortical Spreading Depression in Cardiac Arrest Cerebral Ischemia in Rat
Transneuronal Induction of Tolerance in Cerebral Ischemia
III Factors Modulating Neuronal Plasticity and Course of Maturation Phenomenon in Cerebral Ischemia
Features and Threshold of Infarct Development in Ischemic Maturation Phenomenon
Impending Cerebral Infarction and Inflammatory Response: A Possible Target for Therapeutic Intervention
Astroglial and Microglial Activation in Hippocampus of Rat After Global Forebrain Ischemia
Glial Protection Against Neuronal Damage
On the Role of Glia-Derived Protease Nexin-1 in Neuronal and Glial Adaptation to Ischemia-Induced Cell Loss in Human Brain
Functional Outcome After Brain Infarction: Effect ofEnriched Environment and Amphetamine
Behavioral Changes After Cerebral Infarction in the Rat: Long-Term Spatial Cognitive Impairment and Cerebral Acetylcholine Levels
Modulation of Protein Synthesis and Calcium Uptake Following Traumatic Lesion of Rat Brain Cortex
Temperature Modulation in the Ischemic Maturation Phenomenon
The Role of Endothelin-1 and Nitric Oxide in Cerebral Ischemia
Microglial Cell Death Following Phagocytosis of Zymosan-A Under a Video-Enhanced Contrast - Differential Interference Contrast Microscope: Does This Include Apoptosis?
Mitochondrial Respiratory Enzyme Activity and the Maturation Phenomenon in Cerebral Ischemia
Maturation of Cell Damage After Repetitive Hypoxia - Ischemia in the Rat
Synopsis and Round Table Discussion.