Hypothermia enhances protective effect of MK-801 against hypoxic/ischemic brain damage in infant rats

Brain Res. 1989 May 15;487(1):184-7. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(89)90956-6.

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptor may play an important role in hypoxic/ischemic (H/I) brain damage. Accordingly, it has been shown that the NMDA antagonist, MK-801, partially protects the infant rat brain against H/I damage. Here we show that reducing the body temperature of the infant rat also confers partial protection against H/I brain damage and that mild hypothermia plus MK-801 treatment provides total protection against such damage. Relevance of these findings to the prevention of perinatal brain damage in humans is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dibenzocycloheptenes / therapeutic use*
  • Dizocilpine Maleate
  • Hypothermia, Induced*
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / drug therapy
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / pathology
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / therapy*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / drug effects
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / physiology*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Dibenzocycloheptenes
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter
  • Dizocilpine Maleate