Topiramate treatment is neuroprotective and reduces oligodendrocyte loss after cervical spinal cord injury

John C. Gensel, C. Amy Tovar, Jacqueline C. Bresnahan, Micheal S. Beattie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Excess glutamate release and associated neurotoxicity contributes to cell death after spinal cord injury (SCI). Indeed, delayed administration of glutamate receptor antagonists after SCI in rodents improves tissue sparing and functional recovery. Despite their therapeutic potential, most glutamate receptor antagonists have detrimental side effects and have largely failed clinical trials. Topiramate is an AMPA-specific, glutamate receptor antagonists that is FDA-approved to treat CNS disorders. In the current study we tested whether topiramate treatment is neuroprotective after cervical contusion injury in rats. We report that topiramate, delivered 15-minutes after SCI, increases tissue sparing and preserves oligodendrocytes and neurons when compared to vehicle treatment. In addition, topiramate is more effective than the AMPA-receptor antagonist, NBQX. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report documenting a neuroprotective effect of topiramate treatment after spinal cord injury.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere33519
JournalPLoS ONE
Volume7
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 13 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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