摘要 |
This invention discloses mixtures of NMDA antagonists and anti-cholinergic agents, which can be used to prevent excitotoxic damage in the central nervous system or for anesthetic purposes in human or veterinary medicine. Anti-cholinergic agents such as scopolamine, atropine, benztropine, trihexyphenidyl, biperiden, procyclidine, benactyzine, or diphenhydramine can be used in conjunction with, or subsequent to, administration of an NMDA antagonist such as MK-801. The NMDA antagonist exerts a primary protective effect by preventing or reducing excitotoxic damage due to stroke, perinatal asphyxia, and various other types of injury or disease; however, strong NMDA antagonists such as MK-801 can also cause neurotoxic side effects, including vacuole formation, mitochondrial dissolution, and neuronal death in certain types of neurons such as cingulate/retrosplenial cerebrocortical neurons. The anti-cholinergic agent will reduce or eliminate those damaging side effects, without interfering with the primary protective value of the NMDA antagonist. The anti-cholinergic agents described herein can also reduce the toxic side effects associated with illegal use of drugs such as phencyclidine (also known as PCP or angel dust).
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