The neuroprotective properties of ifenprodil, a novel NMDA receptor antagonist, in neuronal cell culture toxicity studies.

We investigated the effect of ifenprodil on excitotoxic cell death induced by acute exposure to glutamate receptor agonists in primary cultures of foetal mouse cerebral cortex. L-Glutamate and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) but not kainate and quisqualate-induced toxicity was attenuated in the presence of ifenprodil. In addition, ifenprodil and MK-801 blocked NaCN-induced toxicity. It is concluded that the cerebro-protective properties of ifenprodil in these models are mediated by NMDA receptor antagonism.