NMDA oxidizing agents for protecting neurons from injury

Abstract

A method for identifying agents useful for protection of a human neuron from injury. The method includes the steps of providing a cell which has NMDA receptor; selecting an agent potentially useful for oxidation of the NMDA receptor; treating the cell with the agent; and determining whether the NMDA receptor is oxidized by the agent.

1 . A method for identifying agents useful for protection of a human neuron from injury, comprising of the steps of: 
 providing a cell comprising an NMDA receptor,    selecting an agent potentially useful for oxidation of said NMDA receptor,    treating said cell with said agent, and    determining whether said NMDA receptor is oxidized by said agent.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of determining includes determining includes determining the electrophysiological response of said cell to NMDA with and without said agent.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of determining includes determining the survival of said cell after exposure to said agent.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said survival is determined in the presence of said agent and a chemical known to reduce said receptor.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 , or  4  wherein said cell is a neuron.  
     
     
         6 . A method for protecting a neuron of a human patient from neuronal injury, comprising the steps of: 
 identifying a patient susceptible to neuronal injury,    providing a pharmacologically acceptable composition comprising an agent which is useful for oxidation of an NMDA receptor, and    administering said agent to said patient in an amount sufficient to oxidize an NMDA receptor.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said agent is chosen from potassium superoxide, hydrogen peroxide or substrates for oxidases naturally occuring in a human.  
     
     
         8 . A pharmacologically acceptible therapeutic composition comprising an agent which causes oxidation of an NMDA receptor, admixed with a buffer to allow administration of said composition to a human patient.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8  comprising an agent chosen from potassium superoxide, hydrogen peroxide or substrates for oxidases naturally occuring in a human.