Chronic low-dose glutamate is toxic to retinal ganglion cells. Toxicity blocked by memantine.
Vorwerk C, Lipton S, Zurakowski D, Hyman B, Sabel B, Dreyer E. Chronic low-dose glutamate is toxic to retinal ganglion cells. Toxicity blocked by memantine. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 1996, 37: 1618-24. PMID: 8675405.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRetinal ganglion cellsLow-dose glutamateGanglion cell survivalGanglion cellsGlutamate toxicityGlutamate levelsMinor elevationsGlutamate concentrationCentral mammalian neuronsEndogenous glutamate levelsCell survivalSuch chronic exposuresGlutamate elevationVitreal glutamateMemantine therapyMemantine treatmentNeuronal lossIntravitreal injectionGlutamate antagonistsMicroM glutamateVehicle injectionChronic elevationMemantineAcute exposureChronic exposureElevated Glutamate Levels in the Vitreous Body of Humans and Monkeys With Glaucoma
Dreyer E, Zurakowski D, Schumer R, Podos S, Lipton S. Elevated Glutamate Levels in the Vitreous Body of Humans and Monkeys With Glaucoma. JAMA Ophthalmology 1996, 114: 299-305. PMID: 8600890, DOI: 10.1001/archopht.1996.01100130295012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsExcitatory amino acid glutamateRetinal ganglion cellsAmino acid glutamateVitreous bodyGlaucomatous eyesGanglion cellsGlutamate levelsRetinal ganglion cell neuronsOptic nerve damageGroup of patientsElevated glutamate levelsGanglion cell neuronsLevels of glutamateEyes of monkeysNerve damageControl eyesVisual dysfunctionNonglaucomatous eyesCataract extractionPosterior capsuleInadvertent ruptureDisease processGlaucomaCell neuronsPatients