Neuroprotective role of dexmedetomidine pretreatment in cerebral ischemia injury via ADRA2A-mediated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in adult rats.

Neuroprotective effects of dexmedetomidine (Dex) have been reported in various models of brain injury. However, to our knowledge, the neuroprotective mechanism of Dex pretreatment in rats remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to detect the expression of the α2A adrenergic receptor (ADRA2A) in focal ischemic brain tissues and to investigate the protective role and corresponding mechanism of Dex pretreatment in cerebral ischemia in rats.