2009 Round 2 - BJA/RCoA Project Grant
Dr Robert Dickinson
Lecturer, Department of Anaesthetics, Imperial College London
The role of the NMDA-receptor glycine site in xenon neuroprotection against traumatic brain injury
Summary: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, but there are no clinically effective interventions. The inert gas anaesthetics xenon shows potential as a neuroprotectant in various indications(1). This project is aimed at understanding the mechanism by which xenon protects against TBI in an in vitro model of trauma. We showed that xenon neuroprotection against ischemic injury is mediated by xenon inhibition of the NMDA receptor at the glycine-binding(2). This project investigates whether a similar mechanism underlies xenon neuroprotection against traumatic injury. Discovering the molecular mechanisms of xenon neuroprotection against TBI will provide a foundation for future translational studies that could eventually lead to the use of xenon in brain-injured patients in neuro intensive care units.
- R. Dickinson, N. P. Franks, Crit Care 14, 229 (2010).
- P. Banks, N. P. Franks, R. Dickinson, Anesthesiology 112, 614 (2010).
