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Ketamine prevents ischemic neuronal injury
F W Marcoux1, J E Goodrich, M A Dominick
1Department of Pharmacology, Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Research Division, Warner-Lambert Company, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
Brain Research
|June 14, 1988
Summary
Ketamine hydrochloride, an anesthetic, was found to protect brain cells from injury caused by a lack of blood flow (ischemic brain injury). This neuroprotective effect was dose-dependent and may offer therapeutic benefits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Neurology
Background:
- Excitotoxicity from excitatory amino acids is implicated in ischemic brain injury.
- Ketamine hydrochloride is a dissociative anesthetic known to antagonize excitatory amino acids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of ketamine in a global cerebral ischemia model.
- To determine if ketamine's effects are due to antiexcitotoxicity or anticonvulsant properties.
Main Methods:
- Gerbil model of global cerebral ischemia.
- Pretreatment with anesthetic doses of ketamine hydrochloride.
- Behavioral and histopathological assessments of neuronal injury.
Main Results:
- Ketamine hydrochloride ameliorated ischemic neuronal injury in a dose-dependent manner.
- Neuroprotection was observed in both behavioral and histopathological outcomes.
- The effects suggest a specific antiexcitotoxic action.
Conclusions:
- Ketamine hydrochloride demonstrates significant neuroprotective effects against global cerebral ischemia.
- These findings suggest potential therapeutic applications for ketamine in conditions involving ischemic brain injury.
- The mechanism appears to be primarily antiexcitotoxic.
