CLOMETHIAZOLE PROTECTS THE BRAIN IN TRANSIENT FOREBRAIN ISCHEMIA WHENUSED UP TO 4 H AFTER THE INSULT

Brief periods of forebrain ischemia result in consistent damage in the hippocampus in gerbils. This damage can be attenuated by free radical scavengers, glutamate antagonists and GABA agonists. Most of the work with cerebral protection has been done with agents infused prior to t he insult. In this experiment we tested clomethiazole, a GABA agonist, as a neuroprotective agent 1 and 4 h after a 5 min ischemic insult (b ilateral carotid occlusion) in gerbils. Damage was assessed using silv er staining techniques at 7 days after the insult. There were 10 anima ls in each group. Clomethiazole was given subcutaneously at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Compared to controls, there was significant protection in t he CA1 (P < 0.01) and CA4 (P < 0.01) regions of the hippocampus at 1 a nd 4 h after the ischemic insult. GABAergic agents may play an importa nt role in neuronal protection when used after ischemic insults.