“…Although neurons possess mechanisms to regulate intracellular calcium levels, a deregulation or dramatic increase in the cytoplasmatic levels of calcium is the first indicator of neuronal cell death (4,49,56,63). Thus, calcium overload could significantly contribute to neuronal injury through activation of several enzymes such as calpains and phospholipase A 2 , as well as mitochondrial alterations (3,5,32,33,46). It is widely known that mitochondria have been implicated in neuronal cell death through the release of key proteins such as cytochrome c (Cyt c), the second mitochondria derived activator of caspase (Smac, also known as DIABLO), and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) (15,17,25,33).…”