Neuroprotection by memantine, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist after traumatic brain injury in rats

Vemuganti L. Raghavendra Rao, Aclan Dogan, Kathryn G. Todd, Kellie K. Bowen, Robert J. Dempsey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

113 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study investigated whether memantine, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist is neuroprotective after traumatic brain injury (TBI) induced in adult rats with a controlled cortical impact device. TBI led to significant neuronal death in the hippocampal CA2 and CA3 regions (by 50 and 59%, respectively), by 7 days after the injury. Treatment of rats with memantine (10 and 20 mg/Kg, i.p.) immediately after the injury significantly prevented the neuronal loss in both CA2 and CA3 regions. This is the first study showing the neuroprotective potential of memantine to prevent the TBI-induced neuronal damage.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)96-100
Number of pages5
JournalBrain research
Volume911
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 17 2001
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Excitotoxicity
  • Glutamate antagonist
  • Memantine
  • Neuroprotection
  • Secondary neuronal death
  • Traumatic brain injury

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Developmental Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Neuroprotection by memantine, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist after traumatic brain injury in rats'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this