The maturation phenomenon, first described by Ito et al. in 1975, refers to postischemic changes that develop hours or days after an ischemic insult. The delayed neuronal death of CA1 pyramidal cells of the hippocampus is a classic example. The report of the phenomenon boosted research in the field, as it became evident that ischemic damage is not a sudden event, but a process potentially susceptible to therapeutic intervention. Since then a growing number of studies have improved our knowledge on mechanisms of cell death and recovery. This volume contains the presentations of the 4th international symposium, held in New Orleans in October/November 1999, grouped in sections covering apoptosis and/or necrosis, neuronal recovery vs. death, and protection against infarction. It outlines the present status of investigations and provides further stimulation for research in this field.

I The Role of Genetic Expression and Apoptosis

A Role for the GTPase Pathway in Neuronal Damage After Cerebral Ischemia: the Impact of the DNA Array Technique on Stroke Research
Induction of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1) in Adult and Neonatal Rat Brain: Possible Relationship to Hypoxia-Induced Tolerance to Ischemia
Characterization of the eIF2-Associated Protein p67 During Brain Ischemia and Reperfusion
Is DNA Methylation Deleterious in Cerebral Ischemia?
Distinct Ischemic Effects on HSC70, HSP72, and c-fos Expression in Young and Adult Gerbils
Bcl-w Expression and Localization in Brain Ischemia
II Factors Modulating Neuronal Plasticity and Course of Maturation Phenomenon in Cerebral Ischemia (Metabolic and Inflammatory Factors)
Thrombosis After Ischemic Stroke-Platelet Aggregation
The Role of the Immunophilin FKBP12 in Cerebral Ischemia
Localization of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in the Brain Following Focal Cerebral Ischemia in the Rat
Environmental Influence on Neuronal and Dendritic Spine Plasticity After Permanent Focal Brain Ischemia
Relationship Between DNA Fragmentation, Energy State, and Protein Synthesis After Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Mice
Changes in Postsynaptic Densities After Brain Ischemia
Functional Plasticity of the Brain After Ischemic Injury Assessed by Near Infrared Topography
III Factors and Mechanism Enhancing Susceptibility or Tolerance (Growth Factors)
TNF-? and Ceramide as Mediators of Neuronal Tolerance to Brain Ischemia
Upregulation of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 Expression in Rat Hippocampal Neurons After Transient Forebrain Ischemia and After ?2-Adrenoceptor Stimulation
Bcl-2-Protein Is Upregulated After Chemical Induction of Ischemic Tolerance Using 3-Nitropropionic Acidin Rats
Time Course of Postischemic Stroke Symptoms and Delayed Infarction After Transient Cerebral Ischemia in Gerbils: Effect of Chemical Preconditioning Using 3-Nitropropionic Acid
Cyclic AMP Response Element Binding Protein Phosphorylation May Be Closely Associated with Neuroprotective Mechanisms After Focal Ischemia in Rat Brain
Recent Evidence on the Neuroprotective Effects of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide
Evolution of Microcirculatory Derangement in Focal Ischemic Penumbra Following Pial Arteriolar Occlusion as Observed by the Novel Photoelectric Method
IV Ischemic Infarction: Threshold, Experimental and Clinical Dynamics and Therapeutic Design for Prevention and Reduction of Intensity
Delayed Maturation of Cortical Infarction: Role of Caspases and NF-AKB-Mediated Transcription
Cellular Components with Adaptive Responses Contributing to Expansion and Repair Process of Ischemic Brain Damages Caused by Major Vessel Occlusion
Combination Drug Therapy and Mild Hypothermia: Comparison with Neurosurgical Standard Regimen in a Rat Model of Reversible Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Thrombolysis in Acute Stroke
V Mitochondrial Role in Ischemic Cell Death
Cytochrome c Is Released from the Mitochondria of Vulnerable Hippocampal CA1 Neurons in Rats After Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia
Formation of 4-Hydroxy-2-Nonenal-Modified Proteins in the Rat Brain Following Transient Global Ischemia Induced by Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Maturation of Brain Damage After Transient Ischemia
Hypoxia-Induced DNA Damage in the Rat Brain
Ultrastructure and Morphometry of Astroglial Mitochondria Following Temporary Ischemia
VI Special Lecture
Translating Experimental Stroke Research into the Clinical Arena.