The Maturation Phenomenon, described by Ito et al. in 1975 [3) on the basis of his to logical observations in the hippocampus as well as other portions of the cerebral hemisphere, refers to the hours or days of delay in the development of pathological changes in various parameters of ischemic injury following the restoration of blood flow to the ischemic brain. There is a direct relationship between the intensity of ischemic insult and the speed and rate of maturation of ischemic injury, a lesser intensity being associated with slower and less severe development of the lesions. The delayed neuronal death of CAl pyramidal cells of the hippocampus [8) is a classic example. In the cerebral cortex, with increasing intensity of the ischemic insult, the maturation phenomenon of ischemic injuries intensifies, seamlessly, from less exten sive to more extensive disseminated selective neuronal necrosis (DSNN), and then further to cerebral infarction upon reaching a critical threshold [1,2,4,6,7). We also have found that following ischemic insults just under the threshold level required to induce infarction, only disseminated selective neuronal necrosis (DSNN) progresses, while following ischemic insults at the threshold level, initially only DSNN develops, followed by the evolution of a gradually enlarging infarcted focus [5, 7). The reporting of this phenomenon boosted research in the field, as it became evi dent that ischemic damage is not a sudden event, but a process potentially susceptible to therapeutic intervention.

I Role of Genetic Expression and Neuronal Apoptosis and/or Necrosis

Multiple Molecular Penumbras Associated with Focal Ischemia in Brain
Aspects of Maturation Phenomenon Observed by the TUNEL Method
Delayed Gene Expression and Ischemic Brain Injury
The Role of Programmed Cell Death in Cerebral Ischemia
The Role of Caspase-3 Like Protease in the Hippocampus After Transient Global Ischemia
Alterations in Translation Initiation Following Global Brain Ischemia
Studies of Neuronal Necrosis and Apoptosis after Global Cerebral Ischemia in Superoxide Dismutase Transgenic and Knockout Mutants
Apoptosis-Related Genes Are Expressed in the Rat Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
No Morphological Evidence of Apoptosis Following Mild to Severe Episodes of Four-Vessel-Occlusion Ischemia in Rats
II Factors and Mechanisms Enhancing Susceptibility or Tolerance (Growth Factors)
Stimulation of ?2-Adrenoceptors Induces Nerve Growth Factor and Inhibits Apoptosis in Rat Brain After Ischemia
Ischemia-Induced Dynamic Cellular Response in the Brain
Oxygen Free Radicals and Ischaemic Preconditioning in the Brain: Preliminary Data and a Hypothesis
Ischemic Tolerance in the Maturation of Disseminated Selective Neuronal Necrosis and Cerebral Infarction After Repetitive Ischemia
Upregulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Protein Levels in Global Ischemia Induced by Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation in Rat Brain
Neuroprotective Effect of Hepatocyte Growth Factor
III Factors Modulating Neuronal Plasticity and the Course of Maturation Phenomenon in Cerebral Ischemia (Metabolic and Inflammatory Factors)
Tumor Necrosis Factor-?-Induced Ischemic Tolerance as Manifested by Microvascular and Endothelial Cell Responses
The Role of Glial and Inflammatory Reactions inCerebral Ischemia
Effect of EndothelinA Receptor Antagonist on Neuronal Injury in Global and Focal Ischemia
Lowering of Ameboid Microglial Resistance to Hydrogen Peroxide by Propentofylline
Combination Therapy: A Promising Treatment Strategy for Cerebral Ischemia
Another Facet of Nitric Oxide: Reduction of Toxis Zinc Influx Through Voltage-Gated Channels
Slowly Progressive Neuronal Degeneration in Remote Areas After Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Metabolic Disturbance and Gene Responses Following Cortical Injury in Rats: Relationship to Spreading Depression
Protein Expression and Brain Plasticity After Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in the Rat
Alteration of Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Binding in Ischemic Brain: Sensitive Metabolic Marker for Early Ischemit Tissue Damage
IV Ischemic Infarction: Threshold, Experimental and Clinical Dynamics and Therapeutic Design for Prevention or Reduction of Intensity
Role of Mitochondria in Immediate and Delayed Reperfusion Damage
Temporal Profile of Cortical Injury Following Ischemic Insult Just Below and at the Threshold Level for Induction of Infarction - Light and Electron Microscopic Study
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Maturation Phenomenon in Ischemic Gerbil Cortex
Metabolic Ca2+ Signalling and Refilling of Ca2+ Stores in Hippocampal Astrocytes Are Driven by Adenosine Triphosphate Supplied by Glycolysis
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Treatment of Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rat
Environmental Influence on Neurotrophic Gene Expression After Experimental Brain Infarction in the Rat
Delayed Neuronal Death in Experimental Ischemic Stroke
A Rat Model to Study Damage and Defense Mechanisms Under Penumbra Conditions
Instrumental Diagnosis and Treatment ofAcute Ischemic Stroke: The Clinician's Perspective
V Special Lecture
Mechanisms of Regulation of Cerebral Blood Flow
VI Poster Presentations (Abstracts)
The Protective Effect of DY9760e, a Novel Calmodulin Antagonist, on Rat Permanent Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion
Amelioration of Brain Damage Following Transient Focal Ischemia in Rats by ONO-2506: Relevance of Its Modulating Action on Astroglial Functions
The Effect of ONO-2506 on Permanent Focal Ischemia in Rats
Preconditioning with 5 Min Forebrain Ischemia Ameliorated Mortality and Brain Edema Caused by 15 Min Forebrain Ischemia in the Gerbil
Alteration of Control Mechanisms of Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Pools in Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Global Ischemia Induces Downregulation of G1uR2 mRNA and Increases AMPA Receptor-Mediated Ca2+ Influx in Hippocampal CA1 Neurons
SPD 502 (NS 1209), a New Selective AMPA Antagonist, Reduces the Infarct Size in Rats Following Permanent Occlusion of the Middle Cerebral Artery
Neuroprotective Effects of Magnesium and Tirilazad in Rats Subjected to Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Do Natural Antioxidants Protect Neurons from Oxidative Stress Due to Their Anti-Radical Activity?
Carnosine Prevents Neurons from Excitoxic Effects of NMDA and Kainate
Aspects of Tolerance and Apoptosis: Cell and Molecular Biological Studies
VII Round Table Discussion
Round Table Summary.