Over the last few years, there has been a much needed movement in clinical practice towards rapid treatment for patients who experience cerebrovascular stroke so that irreversible neurodegeneration and cell death can be reduced. However, effective pharmacological agents for the treatment of patients with stroke still evade researchers and new treatment options are required. Recent initiatives using familiar drugs from other therapeutic areas and the potential of novel agents in the treatment of stroke were discussed at the 10th Congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology [Vienna, Austria; September 1997].