Neuroprotective effects of inhibiting N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, P2X receptors and the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade: A quantitative analysis in organotypical hippocampal slice cultures subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation

Both P2X receptors and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors mediate influx of calcium. Our results suggest that inhibition of P2X receptors has a neuroprotective potential similar to that of inhibition of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. In contrast, our comparative analysis shows that only partial protection can be achieved by inhibiting the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade, one of the downstream pathways activated by intracellular calcium overload.