Our long-term goals are the development of therapeutic treatments for patients suffering ischemic brain injury and traumatic spinal cord injury. We have evaluated several treatment strategies using the embolic models of ischemic brain injury, such as melagatran, a potent direct thrombin inhibitor; minocycline, an anti-inflammation agent; SR-49059, an anti-edema agent; neuroflo catheter, a devise to increase blood flow into the ischemic injured brain. We have also examined if inhibition of inflammatory reaction improves functional recovery in traumatic spinal cord injury.