Targeting DNA Damage and Repair Pathways in Cerebral Ischemic Stroke: From Bench to Bedside

Despite advances in reperfusion therapies following cerebral ischemic stroke, effective treatment options remain limited, and achieving optimal outcomes post-revascularization continues to be a significant challenge. Increasing evidences have highlighted the crucial role of DNA damage and its associated downstream inflammatory and apoptotic pathways in the pathophysiology of stroke (collectively known as the DNA damage response, DDR). Enhancing DNA repair has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach to mitigate neural injury and promote function recovery after stroke. This review summarizes recent strategies aimed at neuroprotection through the modulation of DNA damage and repair pathways, focusing on both clinical patients with ischemic stroke and experimental stroke models. Additionally, we explore potential future directions.