Adenosine: does it have a neuroprotective role after all?

A neuroprotective role for adenosine is commonly assumed. Recent studies revealed that adenosine may unexpectedly, under certain circumstances, have the opposite effects contributing to neuronal damage and death. The basis for this duality may be the activation of distinct subtypes of adenosine receptors, interactions between these receptors, differential actions on neuronal and glial cells, and various time frames of adenosinergic compounds administration. If these aspects are understood, adenosine should remain an interesting target for therapeutical neuroprotective approaches after all.