Significance of Neurotransmitters in Cerebral Ischemia: Understanding the Role of Serotonin, Dopamine, Glutamate, and GABA in Stroke Recovery and Treatment

Brain ischemia occurs following heart failure, thromboembolism, and atherosclerosis, and it is characterized by the disturbance of blood flow resulting from the blockage of blood vessels. After a series of studies, it is deduced that various changes occur following stroke, including neural death and changes in plasticity. Studies have reported that neurotransmitters tend to change following a stroke. These changes that occur surrounding the infarct area following a stroke can be considered new therapeutic targets for stroke rehabilitation. Although various studies have reported that different neurotransmitters have a promising role in either the progression or the rehabilitation following stroke, they have not found any pharmacological interventions to help the previous rehabilitation therapeutics. Phytocompounds also offer potential therapeutic benefits in stroke management due to their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. This article aimed to compile recent advancements in neurotransmitter research related to ischemia and explore the potential use of neurotransmitter agonists/antagonists in ischemic conditions to identify potential drug candidates for treating the severe and prolonged stages of stroke in the future.