N-methyl-D-aspartate and non-N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists in global cerebral ischemia.
The hippocampal lesion induced by cerebral ischemia has several excitotoxic features. Denervation of the ischemia-vulnerable pyramidal cells has a protective effect. Because most synapses are glutamatergic, administration of glutamate antagonists after ischemia also could be protective. Growing evidence now indicates that non-N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists are more effective than N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists in complete global ischemia. One explanation offered is that ischemia may sensitize pyramidal neurons so that "normal" postischemic synaptic activity induces lethal damage.
Diemer
N H
NH
Institute of Neuropathology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Johansen
F F
FF
Jørgensen
M B
MB
D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D005971:Glutamates / Q000378:metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D005971:Glutamates; D016202:N-Methylaspartate