Search

Introduction Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) is a novel technique that can noninvasively modulate the cortical function. Moreover, there are rapidly replicating evidence suggesting the role of tFUS for targeted neuroprotective drug delivery by increasing the permeability of the central nervous system barrier that results with increased neuroprotective activity. In contrast to the indirect neuroprotective effect, there is rare evidence suggesting the direct parenchymal neuroprotective effect of transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS). In the light of these findings, we aimed to review the direct and indirect neuroprotective effect of FUS in various animal models of Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease and Major Depressive Disorder. Methods A literary search was conducted, utilizing search terms “animal”, “focused ultrasound”, “neuroprotection”, “Alzheimer’s Disease”, “Parkinson’s Disease ”, “Stroke”, “Neurodegenerative disease” and “Major Depressive Disorder”. Items were excluded if they failed to: (1) include patients, (2) editorials, and letters. Results This mini-review article presents an up-to-date review of the neuroprotective effects of tFUS in animal studies and suggests the dual neurotherapeutic role of tFUS in various neurodegenerative diseases. Conclusion Future well-conducted human studies are emergently needed to assess the neuroprotective effects of FUS.

Besides its well known antibiotic activity rifampicin exerts multiple brain protective functions in acute cerebral ischemia and chronic neurodegeneration. The present mini-review gives an update of the unique activity of rifampicin in different diseases including Parkinson's disease, meningitis, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and optic nerve injury.

In our minireview we summarize the neuroprotective effect of atypical antipsychotic and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors after cerebral ischemia. In regard of increasing rate of poststroke mood disorders and current evidences indicating to an increased rate of cerebrovascular accidents after neuroleptic usage by the elderly population we also reviewed the clinical relevance of the neuroprotective and mood stabilizing effect of atypical antipsychotic agents in the light of basic pathophysiology of stroke.