Experimental stroke and neuroprotection in the aging rat brain
M Davis1, A D Mendelow, R H Perry
1Department of Medicine, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Stroke
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Aging increases stroke severity, but N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonism offers neuroprotection in aged rats. This approach reduces infarct size, brain edema, and preserves cerebral blood flow in older animals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cerebrovascular Research
- Aging Research
Background:
- Experimental stroke models predominantly use young animals, neglecting aging's impact on cerebrovascular disease.
- Age-related decline in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor density and function may limit neuroprotection in elderly individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop a stroke model in aging rats to study age-related effects on cerebral infarction.
- Evaluate the neuroprotective potential of NMDA receptor antagonism in the aging brain during ischemia.
Main Methods:
- Focal cerebral ischemia induced via middle cerebral artery thermocoagulation in adult and aged Wistar rats.
- Infarct size assessed histologically; cerebral blood flow measured using hydrogen clearance.
- Neuroprotection evaluated with the NMDA receptor antagonist D-CPPene.
Main Results:
- Aged rats exhibited significantly larger infarct volumes compared to adult rats (40.5% vs. 30.9%).
- D-CPPene reduced infarct size in both aged (33%) and adult (20.7%) rats.
- D-CPPene treatment preserved cerebral blood flow and reduced cortical edema in aged rats.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral infarct size increases with age under similar ischemic conditions.
- NMDA receptor antagonism demonstrates neuroprotective effects in the aging brain.
- Antagonism significantly reduces ischemic damage, edema, and preserves blood flow in aged rats.
