GM1 ganglioside protects nucleus basalis from excitotoxin damage: reduced cortical cholinergic losses and animal mortality.

Ten days after bilateral injections of ibotenic acid into the nucleus basalis, rats injected daily (i.m.) with ganglioside GM1 were protected from anterograde degeneration of cholinergic projections to the fronto-lateral cortex. This protection was reflected by reduced losses (associated with ibotenic acid lesions) of cortical acetylcholinesterase, choline acetyltransferase, and lowered animal mortality.