mGluR modulation of post-traumatic neuronal death: role of NMDA receptors

The potential interaction between group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) and NMDA receptors in mediating of post-traumatic neuronal death was studied using an in vitro trauma model. Treatment with group I mGluR antagonists provided significant neuroprotection either in the presence or absence of an NMDA receptor antagonist. In contrast, treatment with a group I mGluR agonist alone significantly exacerbated injury; this exacerbation was significantly, but incompletely, reduced in the presence of an NMDA receptor antagonist. These findings are consistent with the conclusion that the effects of group I mGluR activation on post-traumatic cell death are mediated only in part through NMDA receptor modulation and suggest that group I mGluR antagonists may have important therapeutic potential.