Kynurenic acid protects against neurotoxicity and lethality of toxic extracts from contaminated Atlantic coast mussels.

1. An aqueous acidic extract from poisonous Atlantic coast mussels was injected i.p. into groups of Swiss-Webster mice at the LD84 value (= 40 ml of extract/kg). Body-scratching, clonic convulsions and death were consistently observed in response to XTRT injection. These results are consistent with the presumed presence of the neuroexcitant amino acid, domoic acid, in the contaminated mussels. 2. Kynurenic acid at 300 and 600 mg/kg i.p. protected powerfully and significantly against extract-induced neurotoxicity. Greatest protection was observed when the antidote was administered between 30 and 90 min after injection of the toxic extract.