Effects of riluzole on the evolution of focal cerebral ischemia: a magnetic resonance imaging study.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of riluzole on the lesion induced by a permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. Riluzole at 4 or 8 mg/kg i.v. significantly reduced the cortical ischemic brain damage. With the most effective dose of 8 mg/kg, the time evolution of the lesion was assessed by T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) repeated on the same animals after MCAO. MRI obtained at 24, 48, and 72 hours after MCAO showed a progressive increase of the ischemic lesion, except in the cortex of the riluzole-treated rats (8 mg/kg i.v.). Furthermore, there was no difference between lesion volumes as measured by MRI or by histology. This study indicates that MRI may be a valuable method to quantify in vivo the neuroprotective profile of a drug.
Mottet
I
I
Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Demeure
R
R
Rataud
J
J
Lucas
M
M
Wahl
F
F
Warscotte
V
V
Thiran
J P
JP
Goudemant
J F
JF
Maldague
B
B
Maloteaux
J M
JM
Stutzmann
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D019782:Riluzole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D019782:Riluzole