Magnesium and ketamine attenuate cognitive dysfunction following experimental brain injury.
We evaluated the therapeutic effects of two noncompetitive antagonists of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, MgCl2 and ketamine, both individually and together, on cognitive dysfunction observed following parasagittal fluid-percussion (FP) brain injury in the rat. Using a modified Morris water maze technique, we found significant attenuation of post-traumatic memory dysfunction in animals treated with either MgCl2 (125 mumol) or ketamine (4 mg/kg) (P < 0.005). Combined MgCl2 and ketamine treatment also preserved memory function (P < 0.005), with no apparent additive effect.
Smith
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Division of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
Okiyama
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Gennarelli
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McIntosh
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D000648:Amnesia, Retrograde / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D007649:Ketamine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015636:Magnesium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013037:Spatial Behavior; D013550:Swimming
D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D015636:Magnesium Chloride; D007649:Ketamine