Neuroprotective actions in vivo and electrophysiological actions in vitro of 202W92

202W92 (R-(-)-2,4-diamino-6-(fluromethyl)-5-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl) pyrimidine) is a novel compound in the same chemical series as the antiepileptic drug lamotrigine and the neuroprotective sipatrigine. Here 202W92 was quantitatively assessed as a neuroprotective agent in focal cerebral ischaemia, and as an inhibitor of sodium and calcium channels and of synaptic transmission. In the rat permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of acute focal ischaemia, 202W92 reduced infarct volume by 75% in cortex and by 80% in basal ganglia, with ED ₅₀ approximately 2 mg/kg (single i.v. dose, 10 min post-occlusion). In whole-cell current recordings from single cells, 202W92 completely and reversibly inhibited voltage gated sodium channels (IC ₅₀ 3×10 ^-6 M) in rat freshly-isolated cortical neurons and in the GH ₃ pituitary cell line. 202W92 also inhibited a nifedipine-sensitive fraction (approximately 35%) of native high-voltage-activated (HVA) calcium current in rat cortical neurons (IC ₅₀ 15×10 ^-6 M) and weakly inhibited low-voltage-activated (LVA) calcium currents of the recombinant α1I-mediated T-type (IC ₅₀>100×10 ^-6 M). The drug inhibited the amplitude and frequency of 4-aminopyridine-evoked glutamatergic excitatory post-synaptic currents (EPSCs). In conclusion, 202W92 is an effective neuroprotective agent when administered post-ischaemia and a potent sodium channel inhibitor in vitro.