Neuroprotective Treatments for Ischemic Stroke: Opportunities for Nanotechnology

Abstract Stroke is one of the major causes of death and severe disability worldwide. At present, intravenous thrombolysis to restore blood flow at the ischemic part of the brain is the main treatment for ischemic stroke. However, even if patients are treated in time during the therapeutic window of thrombolytic drugs, thrombolysis causes a sharp increase in oxygen concentration at the injury site after ischemia–reperfusion, leading to the outbreak of free radicals, which further aggravates the brain injury. Neuroprotective therapy, which is combined with thrombolytic therapy, is an important treatment for ischemic stroke and metabolic disorders caused by ischemic brain injury. It can inhibit various types of cell necrosis, increase cell viability, delay neuronal death, and promote the recovery of neural functions. This review summarizes novel neuroprotective treatments for stroke, especially nanotechnology‐assisted advanced targeted therapies. Future prospects and challenges are also discussed for the development of neuroprotective nanomaterials.