Nicotinic alpha 7 receptors protect against glutamate neurotoxicity and neuronal ischemic damage

Brain Res. 1998 Jan 1;779(1-2):359-63. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(97)00194-7.

Abstract

The alpha7 receptor agonist dimethoxybenzylidene anabaseine (DMXB) protected rat neocortical neurons against excitotoxicity administered 24 h before, but not concomitantly with, NMDA. This action was blocked by nicotinic but not muscarinic antagonists. DMXB (1 mg/kg i.p.) also reduced infarct size in rats when injected 24 h before, but not during, focal ischemic insults. In a mecamylamine-sensitive manner, alpha7 receptors appear neuroprotective in non-apoptotic model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzylidene Compounds / pharmacology
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Nicotinic Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / physiology*

Substances

  • Benzylidene Compounds
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Pyridines
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • 3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)anabaseine