Propofol and sodium thiopental protect against MK-801-induced neuronal necrosis in the posterior cingulate/retrosplenial cortex

N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists act by an anti-excitotoxic action t o provide neuroprotection against acute brain injury, but these agents can also cause toxic effects. In low doses they induce reversible neuronal inju ry, but in higher doses they cause irreversible degeneration of cerebrocort ical neurons. GABAmimetic drugs protect against the reversible neurotoxic c hanges in rat brain. Here we show that two GABAmimetic anesthetic agents - propofol and sodium thiopental - protect against the irreversible neurodege nerative reaction induced by the powerful NMDA antagonist, MK-801. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.