Excitotoxic brain damage is a major mechanism by which neurons die in the adult central nervous system. An essential event in this mechanism is the direct and constant activation of specific glutamate receptors by kainic acid (KA). It has recently been demonstrated that ghrelin can function as a neuroprotective factor by inhibiting apoptotic pathways. Lee et al. report the results of their study that investigated the neuroprotective effect of ghrelin treatment on KA-induced hippocampal degeneration in mice. They found that systemic administration of ghrelin significantly attenuated KA-induced neuronal cell death suggesting a therapeutic role for ghrelin in suppressing KA-induced pathogenesis in the brain. Lee, J et al. (2010). Journal of Endocrinology, 205, 263-270.

DOI: 10.1677/JOE-10-0040