DO N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE ANTAGONISTS HAVE DISPROPORTIONATELY GREATER EFFECTS ON BRAIN-SWELLING THAN ON ISCHEMIC DAMAGE IN FOCAL CEREBRAL INFARCTION

Using a frozen section technique, we have assessed the effects of N-me thyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) antagonist upon brain swelling caused by ischem ic brain edema in a rat model of focal cerebral infarction. Although p retreatment with the competitive NMDA antagonist, D-CPPene or the nonc ompetitive NMDA antagonist, CNS 1102 reduced both the volumes of infar ction and ischemic edema in the cerebral hemisphere, mean reduction in brain edema was proportionately similar to decrease in infarct volume in the same animals (correlation coefficienct, r = 0.82, p < 0.001). There was, therefore, no evidence of disproportionately greater effect s with NMDA antagonist upon brain edema.