Question

Given the cascade of events leading to ischemia-produced brain damage, __________ antagonists administered immediately after a stroke might reduce the development of brain damage.

Answer 1

Answer:

Glutamate

Explanation:

Basically glutamate neurotransmitter  is essential for learning and memory. It is tightly stored in a dam-like structure  in the brain and only released,in small amounts  when stimuli for its need arise, in a well controlled manner, so that only required quantities, for exact specific needs is released. Over production has a delirious effects on the brain.

However, the dam-like glutamate tanks may burst;as as  occurred during head trauma.stroke,  seizures etc. releasing the neurotransmitter to the brain. This diffuses to localized neurons, destroying them, and to other regions of the brain causing   brain malfunctions.

Therefore, in order to prevent damages to the brain regions and neurons from Glutamate spills; Glutamate blockers are usually applied  immediately after stroke so that its concentration in the brain is reduced with special brain pump systems of the neuron membranes which mopped up the spills, and to block its excitation effects of opening more Na+ channels sodium influx, , with water following by osmosis,  leading to swelling and depolarization and over excitability .

Thus further damages is prevented, and the brain is allowed to recover naturally after the trauma.

Answer 2

Answer:

Glutamate

Explanation:

Ischemia can be described as a situation when there is inadequate supply or restriction in supply of the blood to some parts of the body , such as the heart or brain. This is usually due to blockage or narrowing of the arteries that supply the parts with the blood. And this will eventually leads malfunctioning  or eventual short than of the part because there will be  shortage of oxygen to the part.

The glutamate antagonist are known to be groups of drugs that work against or inhibit the action of N- methyl aspartate receptor, which play an important role in the excitotoxic neural death caused by ischemic stroke.

In this case, the administration of the glutamate antagonists will inhibit the action of N-methyl aspartate receptor, and thus reduce the development of brain damage.