Unilateral induction of c-fos protein in cortex following cortical devascularization.

The proto-oncogene c-fos is rapidly induced by a variety of stimuli including wounding of the cortex. In an attempt to define the conditions necessary for c-fos activation, we have studied the effects of cerebral devascularization (CD; unilateral pial disruption), a procedure which results in ischaemia without producing direct physical damage to the tissues. Cerebral devascularization produces c-fos activation throughout the ipsilateral cortex; this effect lasts for about 4 h and is not confined to the area subjacent to pial disruption. The activation of c-fos is not prevented by even high doses of benzodiazepines but is effectively reduced by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (glutamate) receptor antagonist ketamine.