Talampanel a non-competitive AMPA-antagonist attenuates caspase-3 dependent apoptosis in mouse brain after transient focal cerebral ischemia

Talampanel (IVAX) is a non-competitive AMPA-antagonist has a remarkable neuroprotection in different rodent stroke models. The focal cerebral ischemia in mice was induced by transient (60 min.) MCA occlusion and 48 h reperfusion and treated with talampanel (6 x 2 mg/kg, i.p.). The apoptotic and necrotic cells were analyzed by double immune histochemical staining on confocal laser microscope. The infarct size is decreased significantly by talampanel treatment (from 57.1 +/- 7.2 mm(2) to 18.9 +/- 2.6 mm(2), p < 0.001). The number of TUNEL-positive cells localized mostly in the border zone of ischemic lesions is significantly decreased after talampanel treatment (from 962 +/- 13.0 to 604 +/- 6.9, p < 0.01). A strong, significant reduction of caspase-3 active cells was visualized. Talampanel as a neuroprotective drug candidate has a significant effect in mice transient MCA occlusion model. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.