Use of fractalkine for the production of a neuroprotector drug against cell death

摘要

The present invention relates to the use of an endogenous protein of immunitary origin, fractalkine, as a neuroprotective agent against glutamate toxicity in case of acute cerebral ischemia and spinal cord lesions. The agent is useful also in neurosurgery during operations on the brain as neuroprotective agent in case of blockage of blood circulation in the localized brain region subject to surgical intervention. Neuroprotection is exerted in the interval of a few hours after the ischemic insult and thus should be considered unique in the described pathophysiological applications.