7-CHLOROKYNURENATE PREVENTS NMDA-INDUCED AND KAINATE-INDUCED STRIATALLESIONS

NMDA-induced lesions of striatal cholinergic interneurons were attenua ted by 7-chlorokynurenate (7-ClKyn), an antagonist of the glycine site of the NMDA receptor complex. However, it was not possible to demonst rate clearly that the mechanism of action of 7-ClKyn was in fact antag onism of the glycine site. Thus, the agonists at the glycine site, D-s erine and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, failed to reverse the protection afforded by 7-ClKyn. Finally, 7-ClKyn also protected again st lesions produced by kainate. The selectivity of 7-ClKyn under intra cerebral administration is apparently insufficient for determining the role of the glycine site in NMDA-receptor mediated excitotoxicity.