Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 protects motor neurons in an organotypic model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Daniel B. Drachman, Jeffrey D. Rothstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

107 Scopus citations

Abstract

The pathogenesis of motor neuron loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is thought to involve both glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity and oxidative damage due to the accumulation of free radicals and oilier toxic molecules. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) may play a key role in these processes by producing prostaglandins, which trigger astrocytic glutamate release, and by inducing free radical formation. We tested the effects of COX-2 inhibition in an organotypic spinal cord culture model of ALS. The COX-2 inhibitor (SC236) provided significant protection against loss of spinal motor neurons in this system, suggesting that it may be useful in the treatment of ALS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)792-795
Number of pages4
JournalAnnals of neurology
Volume48
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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