Key result
MK-801 fails to alter hypoglycemic ionic shifts in rats, suggesting NMDA receptors are of minor importance.
Why the study?
The role of NMDA receptor activation in the depolarization associated with severe hypoglycemia and its relation to cortical spreading depression was unclear.
Population
Rats with severe hypoglycemia
Comparison
MK801 injection (NMDA receptor blockade) vs control rats
Design
Preclinical experimental study with ion-selective microelectrode measurements
Authors
Loading...
NMDA blockade unlikely to prevent hypoglycemic depolarization in cortex; leaves open dominant mechanisms for clinical translation.
Activation of NMDA receptors appears to be of minor importance for hypoglycemic depolarization in the cerebral cortex.
Zhang et al. (1990) studied Severe hypoglycemia. MK-801 vs. Control was evaluated on Latency to onset of ionic shifts and changes in extracellular potassium and calcium. MK-801 did not alter the latency or magnitude of extracellular potassium and calcium shifts during severe hypoglycemia in rats, suggesting NMDA receptors are of minor importance for this depolarization.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: