NBQX, an AMPA antagonist, reduces glutamate-mediated brain edema.

Glutamate (2.5 mg) was administered after the blood-brain barrier had been opened by a unilateral intracarotid infusion of 5 mg protamine sulfate in rats. Whereas the brain specific gravity, measured 24 h later, did not differ between the injected and non-injected side after protamine alone, glutamate significantly reduced the specific gravity in the right hemisphere indicating brain edema (P less than 0.01). NBQX, a potent AMPA receptor antagonist, significantly reduced the edema (P less than 0.01) and completely inhibited the glutamate mediated increase in albumin content in cerebrospinal fluid (P less than 0.01).