title: Magnesium and ketamine attenuate cognitive dysfunction following experimental brain injury.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okiyama
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Gennarelli
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: McIntosh
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D015636:Magnesium Chloride; D007649:Ketamine