Neuroprotective effect of memantine in a rabbit model of optic nerve ischemia.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of memantine, a N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist, in an experimental optic nerve ischemia. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) in a dosage of 0.1 microg/day was delivered to the perineural region of the anterior optic nerve by osmotically driven minipumps for 8 weeks in 10 rabbits. In 5 rabbits, 1 mg/kg memantine was administered concurrently by intramuscular injection once a daily. Morphologic optic nerve head changes were monitored with a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Multivariate statistical analysis showed a significant change in topometric parameters (cup area, cup depth and rim volume), indicating an increase in optic nerve head cupping and a decrease of neural rim volume in the ET-1 administered eyes (P < 0.0001). In rabbits where memantine was given concurrently with ET-1, no significant change in topometric parameters was observed after ET-1 administration (P = 0.78). The current results suggest that memantine has a neuroprotective effect in optic nerve ischemia. Memantine may potentially be useful in the management of various ischemic disorders of the optic nerve, including glaucoma.
Kim
Tae Woo
TW
Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
Kim
Dong Myung
DM
Park
Ki Ho
KH
Kim
Hyunjoong
H
D000818:Animals; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000633:toxicity; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008559:Memantine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023421:Models, Animal; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D018917:Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011817:Rabbits
D019332:Endothelin-1; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D008559:Memantine