The toxicity of amyloid β (Aβ) is highly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), which has a high incidence in elderly people worldwide. While the current treatment for moderate and severe AD includes blockage of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), the molecular mechanisms of its effect are still poorly understood. Herein, we report that a single i.p. administration of the selective and competitive (NMDAR) antagonist LY235959 reduced Aβ neurotoxicity by preventing the down-regulation of glial glutamate transporters (glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST) and glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1)), the decrease in glutamate uptake, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by Aβ 1-40. Importantly, the blockage of NMDAR restored the Aβ 1-40-induced synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairment. However, LY235959 failed to prevent the inflammatory response associated with Aβ 1-40 treatment. Altogether, our data indicate that the acute administration of Aβ promotes oxidative stress, a decrease in glutamate transporter expression, and neurotoxicity. Our results reinforce the idea that NMDAR plays a critical regulatory action in Aβ toxicity and they provide further pre-clinical evidence for the potential role of the selective and competitive NMDAR antagonists in the treatment of AD. © 2011 IBRO.
CITATION STYLE
Bicca, M. A., Figueiredo, C. P., Piermartiri, T. C., Meotti, F. C., Bouzon, Z. L., Tasca, C. I., … Calixto, J. B. (2011). The selective and competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, (-)-6-phosphonomethyl-deca-hydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid, prevents synaptic toxicity induced by amyloid-β in mice. Neuroscience, 192, 631–641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.06.038
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