The AMPA-antagonist talampanel is neuroprotective in rodent models of focal cerebral ischemia

Talampanel reduced the infarct size by 47.3% (p < 0.01) after a 30 min delay and 48.5% (p < 0.01) after 2 h delay following middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. In mice, talampanel reduced the extension of the infarcted tissue at the levels of striatum and hippocampus by 44.5% (p < 0.05) and 39.3% (p < 0.01) after 1.5 h transient ischemia and still caused 37.0% (p < 0.05) and 37.0% (p < 0.05) inhibitions when 2 h occlusion was applied. In photothrombosis talampanel showed a 40.1% (p < 0.05) inhibition. Protective actions of talampanel in various stroke models, in rats and mice, suggest a possible therapeutic role of the compound in stroke patients.