Abstract
We examined the impact of a perinatal hypoxic-ischemic insult on the distribution of glutamate receptors in developing brain. We used a well characterized rodent model for perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, unilateral carotid artery occlusion followed by exposure to 8% oxygen for 2.5 h in 7-day-old rat pups. This preparation results in focal neuronal damage in striatum, hippocampus, and cortex ipsilateral to ligation. Alterations in the regional distribution of glutamate binding in the first 24 h after the insult were assessed with quantitative in vitro [3H]glutamate autoradiography. In lesioned animals, we found progressive selective reductions in [3H]glutamate binding in forebrain ipsilateral to ligation in regions destined for neuronal damage. The earliest and most prominent unilateral reductions in binding were noted in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus (-45 ± 9%, compared with contralateral hemisphere at 24 h). Acute reductions in specific glutamate binding appear to be a sensitive marker for hypoxic-ischemic neuronal damage in the immature brain. These observations suggest that neurons bearing glutamate receptors may be particularly susceptible to hypoxic-ischemic injury.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 33-39 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Developmental Brain Research |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1987 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Autoradiography
- Dentate gyrus
- Glutamic acid
- Hypoxia-ischemia
- Perinatal
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental Biology
- Developmental Neuroscience