The metabotropic excitatory amino acid receptor agonist 1S,3R-ACPD selectively potentiates N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced brain injury.

The role of metabotropic type excitatory amino acid receptors in brain injury was assessed using the selective metabotropic receptor agonist, (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1S,3R-ACPD). Intrastriatal stereotaxic injection of 1S,3R-ACPD (250 nmol) in PND 7 rats produced little brain injury as assessed by hemispheric weight disparities. However, 1S,3R-ACPD markedly potentiated N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-, but not alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazoleproprionic acid (AMPA)-, mediated brain injury. This effect was stereoselective since the inactive metabotropic agonist, 1R,3S-ACPD, did not potentiate NMDA toxicity.