The N‐Methyl‐D‐Aspartate Antagonist MK‐801 Fails to Protect Dopaminergic Neurons from 1‐Methyl‐4‐ Phenylpyridinium Toxicity In Vitro

Abstract
Recent reports suggest that NMDA receptor antagonists when administered in vivo can protect dopaminergic neurons from the toxic actions of MPP+. In the present study the possible neuro-protective effects against MPP+ toxicity of the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 was studied in primary cultures of fetal rat mesencephalic dopamine neurons. MK-801 failed to protect dopaminergic neurons from MPP+ toxicity at concentrations that completely block NMDA-induced toxicity of these same neurons. In contrast to work carried out in cerebellar granule cells, MPP+ toxicity of mesencephalic dopamine neurons was unaffected by preexposure to subtoxic concentrations of either NMDA or cycloheximide. Our findings suggest that the toxic effects of MPP+ on dopaminergic neurons are not mediated through a direct interaction with the NMDA subtype of glutamate receptor.

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