Neonatal neurodegeneration after N‐acetyl‐aspartylglutamate (NAAG) administration in rat hippocampus

Abstract

NAAG, an agonist at Group II metabotropic glutamate receptors and at the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA)‐type of ionotropic glutamate receptor, was infused at 250 nmoles in 0.25 μL of saline into each cerebral ventricle of 12‐day‐old rat pups. Proportion of pycnotic neurons was determined in 100 × 200 μm areas of medial and lateral blades of DG, and in areas CA1, CA3a, b of both dorsal and ventral hippocampus. In some sections we used Fluoro‐JADE‐B staining to visualize degenerating neuronal cell bodies. There was a marked neurodegeneration, particularly in the medial blade of DG, at 24 h after the administration of NAAG but it was lower at the 4‐day time point. No significant damage was observed in 50‐day‐old rat. The results indicate that early postnatal administration of NAAG can cause serious loss of neurons in rat hippocampus.Acknowledgement: Supported by LNOOB122 MEYS CR.