The selective antagonism of A2A adenosine receptors prevents synaptic failure induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation in rat dentate gyrus

The role of adenosine A2A receptor activation during oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) was investigated on synaptic potentials (field excitatory post synaptic potentials, fEPSPs) extracellularly recorded from the dentate gyrus (DG). Nine min OGD elicited an irreversible loss of fEPSP and the appearance of anoxic depolarization (AD), a clear sign of brain damage. The selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, ZM241385 prevented AD appearance and allowed a significant recovery of neurotransmission after OGD. In addition, 9 min OGD facilitates neuroblast maturation, as indicated by immunohistochemical analysis.