DECREASE IN CEREBRAL FREE MAGNESIUM CONCENTRATION FOLLOWING CLOSED-HEAD INJURY AND EFFECTS OF VA-045 IN RATS

1. We examined the alterations in cerebral free Mg2+ concentration in closed head in jury (CHI) in rats and the effects of VA-045, a novel a povincaminic acid derivative, on them with in vivo P-31-NMR. 2. Free M g2+ decreased by about 30% within 20 min after head impact and, afterw ard, it gradually decreased further to reach about 60% of the control level after 3 hr. VA-045 inhibited the decrease. 3. In nonimpacted rat s, VA-045 did not alter the free Mg2+ level. 4. The decrease in cerebr al free Mg2+ following CHI may be a critical factor in the development of irreversible tissue injury, and VA-045 may prevent it. Copyright ( C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.