NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF DEXTROMETHORPHAN AGAINST TRANSIENT CEREBRAL-ISCHEMIA REPERFUSION INJURY IN GERBILS

AIM: To study the neuroprotective effects of dextromethorphan against transient cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS: Transient cer ebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in gerbils was produced by temporari ly clamping the common carotid arteries (CCA) for 10 min. RESULTS: Int rahippocampal (ih) injection of 2.0 mu L dextromethorphan (DM, 100 mu mol . L(-1)) 5 min before ischemia quickened the recovery of EEG chang es, the total power spectra of EEG, and the power of dominant frequenc y following reperfusion. The total power of EEG was increased to 92 +/ - 30 (P < 0.01) at 240 min following reperfusion. DM substantially red uced the severe ischemic neuronal damage (SIND) after 10 min of cerebr al ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion. CONCLUSION: DM has neuroprotectiv e effects against transient cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury i n gerbils.