Fig. 1. Ischemic stroke elicits DNA damage in neurons.
Cerebral ischemic stroke promotes robust ROS production, which can attack and damage DNA. There are four common types of DNA damage: 1) AP sites, 2) base modifications, such as 8-oxo-dG and 8-OHdG formation, 3) single-strand breaks, and 4) double-strand breaks. Each of these forms of DNA damage may contribute to neuronal cell death and impede stroke recovery. ROS, reactive oxygen species; AP site, apurinic/apyridinic abasic site.