The maturation phenomenon refers to postischemic changes that develop hours or days following an ischemic insult. The delayed neuronal death of CA1 pyramidical cells of the hippocampus is a classic example. The report of the phenomenon has boosted research in this field, as it became evident that ischemic damage is not a sudden event but a process potentially susceptible to therapeutic intervention. In September 1990, the first international symposium on "Maturation Phenomenon in Cerebral Ischemia" was held in Tokyo. The second symposium was organized in Tokyo in March/April 1996. Since then, new developments have rapidly delivered information about the molecular nature and dynamics of mechanisms concerning cell death and recovery. This book contains the presentations of the 3rd international symposium held in Pozilly/Italy in April 1998. It outlines the present status of the investigation and provides further stimulation for research in this field.