Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. The outcome of this condition is influenced by many factors, in particular the age of the patient and the presence of concomitant diseases. With the development of both pharmacological and mechanical thrombolysis, some progress in the treatment of patients with ischemic stroke has been made. Nevertheless, there is a significant need to develop drugs for neuroprotection in acute ischemic stroke in order to protect the brain from damage before and during the recanalization process, extend the “therapeutic window” for intervention, and further improve the functional outcome of the disease. The article discusses the problems in the development of neuroprotective strategies, the mechanisms underlying these strategies, and issues related to the search for new drugs.

Keywords: neuroprotector, comorbidities, acute cerebrovascular accident, neuroprotection, ischemic stroke