Olney's lesions

Olney's lesions are a type of brain damage that has been observed in rodents exposed to certain drugs, such as phencyclidine (PCP) and other dissociative drugs. The lesions are named after John Olney, who first reported the phenomenon in 1989.

History[edit | edit source]

John Olney discovered the lesions in 1989 while studying the effects of NMDA receptor antagonists. These drugs, which include substances like ketamine, phencyclidine (PCP), and dextromethorphan (DXM), were found to cause vacuoles to form in certain regions of the rat brain, particularly the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortices.

Causes[edit | edit source]

The exact cause of Olney's lesions is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the overexcitation of neurons in the brain. This overexcitation can be caused by drugs that block the NMDA receptor, a type of glutamate receptor. When these receptors are blocked, it can lead to an influx of calcium ions into the neuron, which can cause the cell to become overexcited and potentially die.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

The symptoms of Olney's lesions in humans are not well-studied, as the condition has primarily been observed in rodents. However, it is believed that the lesions could potentially cause cognitive deficits, including problems with memory and learning.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

There is currently no known treatment for Olney's lesions. The best way to prevent the lesions is to avoid the use of drugs that can cause them, such as dissociative drugs.

See also[edit | edit source]

Olney's lesions Resources
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