Brain overexcitation contributes to numerous neuropathological processes and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Our main research objectives are to identify, study and exploit, for therapeutic purposes, CNS endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms. We aim in particular at discovering paths to negotiate the blood brain barrier in order to protect the brain from acute insults such as closed head injury, stroke, meningitis, nerve gas exposure or chronic diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, brain tumor and prion disease.