Stroke remains one of the major causes of death and long-term disability worldwide. Currently, the only approved therapy for the acute treatment of this disease is thrombolysis, a strategy that can only be applied to a small percentage of patients due to its narrow therapeutic window. Unfortunately, during the last years numerous promising drugs that showed neuroprotection in the experimental setting failed to translate into the clinic because of their toxicity or lack of efficacy.

Researchers in the field now face the crucial need to develop effective stroke therapies and successfully translate novel strategies into the clinical setting. Rational Basis for Clinical Translation in Stroke Therapy presents the most recent promising preclinical approaches and the most updated clinical evidence for treating stroke patients. By bringing together the experience of accomplished stroke researchers and clinicians, the book is a useful tool for improving the treatment and management of stroke patients.

The book describes current approaches for the management of stroke patients including thrombolysis and mechanical recanalization procedures as well as other clinically relevant topics such as diagnosis, imaging, risk factors, and prevention. Also described are emerging interventions based on the use of stem cells, botulinum toxin, and antidepressants which complement emergency stroke treatment and conventional rehabilitation procedures.

Clinical approaches are integrated with the most promising therapeutic opportunities based on targeting the immune system, hypothermia, and postconditioning. The book also covers issues related to the improvement of R&D strategies in stroke therapeutics, aimed at the implementation of preclinical approaches with stroke model guidelines and at the optimization of clinical trial design. This volume is a reference for all those interested in the rational development of novel stroke therapeutics.

Giuseppe Micieli is director of the Department of Emergency Neurology at the IRCCS “C. Mondino” Foundation in Pavia, Italy, as well as adjunct professor at the University of Pavia. He received his degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Pavia and holds specialization degrees in neurology and clinical pharmacology. He is former director of the Laboratory of Vegetative Physiopathology, the Headache Centre, and the Sub-intensive Unit of Cerebrovascular Diseases at the IRCCS “C. Mondino” Foundation. He is also the former leader of the Emergency Neurology and Stroke Unit of the Humanitas Clinical Institute in Rozzano, Milan. Dr. Micieli has published more than 170 peer-reviewed articles and held numerous leadership positions including coordinating roles for the Stroke Unit Network and the Italian Stroke Forum.