OIt is
now believed that necrotic cell death occurs in the core of the
lesion, whereas, apoptosis contributes to the neuronal cell
loss in the “penumbra” region, which receives more blood
supply than the core (Friedlander, 2003; Kametsu et al.,
2003; O’Hare et al., 2002). The contribution of apoptotic
death to the overall damage is significant, and its inhibition
by caspase inhibitors alleviates tissue damage and results
in neurologic improvement in a mouse model of stroke