Role of Neurotransmitters in Brain Injury

Neuroscientists from various disciplines have given extraordinary attention to the role of neurotransmitters in the field of neuronal injury. This volume summarizes the original oral and poster contributions which were presented at the symposium, "The Role of Neurotransmitters in Brain Injury," in Key West, Florida, between June 7-9, 1991. This symposium was the official Satellite of Brain-91, the Fifteenth International Symposium on Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, held in Miami the previous week. The two principal goals of the Key West satellite meeting were to document recent progress and, more importantly, to explore future directions for investigative studies of the role of neurotransmitters in brain injury. To achieve these goals we assembled participants from diverse scientific fields and specialties who brought their collective expertise to discussions on the importance of neurotransmitters in neuronal and vascular injury following brain ischemia, trauma, and epilepsy. Their contributions are reflected in this volume. An important section of this volume is devoted to the role of glutamate and glutamatergic receptors in the development of ischemic neuronal damage. Topics covered include the mechanisms of glutamate and other excitatory amino acids, and the role of underlying injury-induced release different glutamatergic receptors in brain injury, including the NMDA and the non-NMDA receptors. The involvement of other neurotransmitters in the process of ischemic brain injury is well established.