PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Translating the efficacy of neuroprotective agents in 
experimental traumatic brain injury to clinical benefit has proven an extremely 
complex and, to date, unsuccessful undertaking. The focus of this review is on 
neuroprotective agents that have recently been evaluated in clinical trials and 
are currently under clinical evaluation, as well as on those that appear 
promising and are likely to undergo clinical evaluation in the near future.
RECENT FINDINGS: Excitatory neurotransmitter blockage and magnesium have 
recently been evaluated in phase III clinical trials, but showed no 
neuroprotective efficacy. Cyclosporin A, erythropoietin, progesterone and 
bradykinin antagonists are currently under clinical investigation, and appear 
promising.
SUMMARY: Traumatic brain injury is a complex disease, and development of 
clinically effective neuroprotective agents is a difficult task. Experimental 
traumatic brain injury has provided numerous promising compounds, but to date 
these have not been translated into successful clinical trials. Continued 
research efforts are required to identify and test new neuroprotective agents, 
to develop a better understanding of the sequential activity of pathophysiologic 
mechanisms, and to improve the design and analysis of clinical trials, thereby 
optimizing chances for showing benefit in future clinical trials.