Pre- and postischemic effects of the NMDA receptor antagonist dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) on collateral cerebral blood flow

The authors studied the effects of pre- and postischemic administration of dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) on collateral and regional cerebral blood flow (CBF). The ischemic penumbra appears to benefit most from the neuroprotective effects of MK-801. The precise mechanism by which MK-801 provides this neuroprotection remains controversial. Alterations in CBF have been demonstrated with MK-801 administration, but whether the response is an increase or decrease in flow has remained unclear. A left-sided craniectomy was performed in 20 dogs. A branch of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was cannulated and collateral blood supply-dependent tissue (CDT) was identified using the 'shadow flow' technique. Regional CBF was measured using radiolabeled microspheres. Six dogs received MK-801 (1 mg/kg administered intravenously) before they underwent MCA branch occlusion: the remaining 14 dogs received MK-801 after they underwent MCA occlusion. Cerebral blood flow and vascular pressures were measured 30 and 60 minutes after MK-801 administration. In animals that received MK-801 before MCA occlusion, CBF did not change significantly from baseline values before or after occlusion. In contrast, in animals that received MK-801 after MCA occlusion, CBF was significantly reduced in all regions of the brain, including the CDT. Collateral blood supply-dependent tissue showed a 51.7% reduction in flow, whereas normal CBF was reduced by 29.7%. The MK-801 induced cerebral vasoconstriction in both groups. The neuroprotective effects of MK-801 do not appear to be caused by the augmentation of collateral or global cerebral circulation and, in fact, may block the glutamate-mediated vasodilation that occurs during ischemia.