Behavioral and Receptor Effects of N-Arachidonoyl-Gaba Under Conditions of Permanent Bilateral Carotid Arteries Stenosis in Rats

The effects of the endogenous neuroprotector N -arachidonoyl-GABA on the cognitive functions and NMDA- and GABA A -receptor characteristics in the brain of rats under bilateral common carotid artery stenosis were studied. Administration of the compound (2 mg/kg, 7 d) to ischemic rats normalized cognitive performance in the exploratory plus-maze test and decreased the ex vivo number of cortical GABA A receptors by 17%, partially returning it to the normal values. N -Arachidonoyl-GABA did not correct the density of NMDA receptors that was altered by ischemia. Thus, N -arachidonoyl-GABA was able to restore receptor levels and cognitive activity disturbed by stenosis.