The Maturation Phenomenon, first described by Ito et al. in 1975, refers to post ischemic changes that develop hours or days after an ischemic insult. The delayed neuronal death of CAl pyramidal cells of the hippocampus is a classic example. The report of the phenomenon boosted research in the field, as it became evi dent that ischemic damage is not a sudden event but a process potentially suscep tible to therapeutic intervention. In September 1990, Ito and collaborators organized the First International Sym posium on "Maturation Phenomenon in Cerebral Ischemia" which was held in To kyo,...

The symposium on maturation phenomenon in cerebral ischemia was the first international meeting to focus primarily on this subject; the resulting publication contains presentations and discussions by prominent researchers engaged in this field.

The Maturation Phenomenon, described by Ito et al. in 1975 3) on the basis of his to logical observations in the hippocampus as well as other portions of the cerebral hemisphere, refers to the hours or days of delay in the development of pathological changes in various parameters of ischemic injury following the restoration of blood flow to the ischemic brain. There is a direct relationship between the intensity of ischemic insult and the speed and rate of maturation of ischemic injury, a lesser intensity being associated with slower and less severe development of the lesions. The delayed...

This text contains the presentations of the 2nd International Symposium held in Tokyo in April 1996. The latest developments in maturation phenomenon and the present status of investigation are described.