The mechanisms of action for neuroprotective agents can vary:
- Magnesium Sulfate: It acts by stabilizing cell membranes and reducing excitotoxicity, a process where excessive glutamate damages neurons. - Therapeutic Hypothermia: Cooling reduces metabolic demand and slows down the cascade of damaging biochemical processes that follow a brain injury. - Erythropoietin: It promotes cell survival, reduces inflammation, and stimulates neurogenesis. - Melatonin: It scavenges free radicals and decreases oxidative stress, thereby protecting neurons. - Allopurinol: It inhibits xanthine oxidase, an enzyme involved in the production of reactive oxygen species, thus reducing oxidative stress.
