A method of inhibiting excitotoxicity by indirectly activating alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) which indirectly activate synaptic AMPA and NMDA receptors is disclosed. Inhibitors of alpha7 nACHRs, such as macrocyclic diterpenoids, more specifically cembranoids or methyllycaconitine (MLA), indirectly activate alpha4beta2 nAChRs and can be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson Disease, AIDS related dementia and the delayed effects of stroke. They can also be used to treat diseases associated with neuronal impairment, including, but not limited to glaucoma caused by optical nerve damage, delayed effects of epilepsy; and multiple sclerosis.
Neuronal circuit-dependent neuroprotection by interaction between nicotinic receptors