Neuroprotective effects of FK506 against excitotoxicity in organotypic hippocampal slice culture.

FK506 has been originally classified as an immunosuppressant and is known to exhibit neurotrophic actions in vitro and protective effects on some neurological conditions. We investigated the neuroprotective effects of FK506 on kainic acid (KA)-induced neuronal death in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSCs). After an 18 h KA (5 microM) treatment, significantly neuronal death was detected in the CA3 region using propidium iodide staining.