Interaction of gacyclidine enantiomers with 'non-NMDA' binding sites in the rat central nervous system

Gacyclidine, a channel blocker of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR), e xhibits potent neuroprotective properties and a low self-neurotoxicity. Pre venting its interaction with NMDARs we demonstrate, through the use of its enantiomers, that gacyclidine also interacts with other ('non-NMDA') bindin g sites. The autoradiographic study showed that these sites displayed a uni form specific binding in the forebrain and a more discrete distribution in the molecular layer of the cerebellum. The 'non-NMDA' binding sites could e xert a modulatory control on glutamatergic neurotransmission. (C) 2001 Else vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.