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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Recording and Modulation of Epileptiform Activity in Rodent Brain Slices Coupled to Microelectrode Arrays
Published on: May 15, 2018
Effect of low-affinity NMDA receptor antagonists on electrical activity in mouse cortical slices
Hywel J Naish1, Wendy L Marsh, John A Davies
1Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of three low-affinity NMDA receptor antagonists, MRZ 2/279 (1-amino-1,3,3,5,5-pentamethyl-cyclohexane HCl), AR-R 15896AR ([+]-alpha-phenyl-2-pyridine-ethanamine diHCl) and dextromethorphan on epileptiform activity in vitro. Epileptiform discharges were elicited in DBA/2 mouse cortical slices by perfusion with Mg(2+)-free artificial cerebrospinal fluid. MRZ 2/279, AR-R 15896AR and dextromethorphan all reversibly decreased the frequency of the discharges in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC(50)'s for MRZ 2/279, AR-R 15896AR and dextromethorphan were 5.2, 10.8 and 55.9 microM, respectively. These low-affinity NMDA receptor antagonists may be proved to be clinically effective with fewer adverse effects than drugs with high-affinity for the NMDA receptor-operated channel.

