Omega-3 α-linolenic acid decreases acute ischemic stroke damage. A) ALA intravenous injection (i.v., 500 nmol/kg) 30 minutes before a ischemic challenge (20 min global ischemia) prevents glutamate excitotoxicity-driven CA1 hippocampal neuronal death. B) Left panel: ALA is vasoactive triggering a 30% release of the basilar artery diameter ex vivo. Right panel: In vivo a 20% increase of the CBF occurs within 30 min post ALA-injection (i.v. neuroprotective dose of 500 nmol/kg). C) ALA significantly reduces the infarct volume when injected up to 6 hours after reperfusion post-MCAO. The maximal protection was achieved with a dose of 500 nmol/kg injected 2 hours post-ischemia and the window of successful intervention faded 12 hours after the onset of reperfusion.