Angiogenesis

I t is now appreciated that emerging therapeutic strategies for recovery must include the cerebral vasculature and that induction of angiogenesis will stimulate endogenous recovery mechanisms, including neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and neuronal and synaptic plasticity. These events are all involved in the long-term repair and restoration process of the brain after an ischemic event. Several recent excellent reviews provided detailed information on the mechanisms and molecular targets for angiogenesis after stroke. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the evidence that angiogenesis is a target for recovery after an ischemic stroke.