EFFECTS OF THE SELECTIVE METABOTROPIC GLUTAMATE AGONIST LY354740 IN ARAT MODEL OF PERMANENT ISCHEMIA

The neuroprotective effects of a systemically active, potent, group II selective metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist, LY354740, was asse ssed in the middle cerebral artery occlusion model of focal ischaemia in rats. LY354740 (0.3, 3.0 or 30.0 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneo usly (s.c.) 30 min prior to and 3 hours after the induction of ischaem ia. Twenty four hours after the ischaemic insult, the brains were proc essed for the evaluation of infarct volumes. No significant reduction in infarct volumes were observed in treated animals at any of the dose s investigated. These data provide no support for the view that group It metabotropic glutamate receptors have a major influence on ischaemi c damage in this model. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rig hts reserved.