Role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in glutamate-stimulated apoptosis of rat retinal ganglion cells.

Purpose: To investigate the involvement of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway after intravitrevous injection of glutamate in rat retina.

Methods: Three groups of five Sprague-Dawley rats each were studied. Group I was a normal control group, intravitreal saline injections.