pd-184161 and Infarction--Middle-Cerebral-Artery

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death. It has previously been shown that blocking activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) with the MEK inhibitor U0126 mitigates brain damage in rodent models of ischemic stroke. Here we show that the newer MEK inhibitor PD184161 reduces cell death and altered gene expression in cultured neurons and mice undergoing excitotoxicity, and has similar protective effects in a mouse model of stroke. This further supports ERK inhibition as a potential treatment for stroke.

Topics: Aniline Compounds; Animals; Benzamides; Brain; Cell Death; Cells, Cultured; Disease Models, Animal; Enzyme Inhibitors; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Gene Expression; Glutamic Acid; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neurons; Stroke