dizocilpine-maleate and Ataxia

At present, the research on the prevention of schizophrenia is still in its infancy. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) has potential to treat psychological and neurological diseases including schizophrenia. However, the preventive effect of PQQ on schizophrenia remains unclear.. In this study, we aimed to examine the preventive effect of supplementation of dietary PQQ from pregnancy or after birth on dizocilpine (MK-801)-induced schizophrenia-like behaviors in mice.. Supplementation of dietary PQQ from pregnancy could effectively prevent MK-801-induced weight gain decrease, hyperlocomotion, stereotypical behavior, ataxia, exploratory activity decrease, social interaction disorder, memory deficit, and depression in mice. Supplementation of dietary PQQ after birth could effectively prevent MK-801-induced weight gain decrease, stereotypical behavior, ataxia, and memory deficit in mice. Female mice responded to a greater degree than males in preventing MK-801-induced weight gain decrease in both forms of PQQ supplementation. For mice that began PQQ supplementation after birth, females performed better than males in preventing MK-801-induced ataxia, memory deficit, and depression. For mice that began PQQ supplementation from pregnancy, males performed better than females in preventing MK-801-induced memory deficit. In vitro experiments indicated that PQQ supplementation in the earlier stage of life contributed to the growth of neurons and the development of neurites.. Our current study suggested that PQQ supplementation from pregnancy or postpartum could prevent some schizophrenia-like behaviors induced by MK-801 in mice. Our work supported the potential usage of dietary supplement of PQQ in preventing or alleviating symptoms associated with schizophrenia.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Dietary Supplements; Dizocilpine Maleate; Female; Male; Memory Disorders; Mice; PQQ Cofactor; Pregnancy; Schizophrenia; Weight Gain

The NMDA receptor (NMDAr) hypofunction theory of schizophrenia suggests that aberrant signaling through NMDAr underlies the pathophysiology of this disease. This is commonly modeled in rodents via treatment with NMDAr antagonists, which causes a range of behavioral effects that represent endophenotypes related to schizophrenia. These drugs also disrupt high-frequency neural oscillations within the brain, also potentially relevant to disease. We studied the effect of localized NMDAr hypofunction on the generation of neural oscillations occurring both locally and in distant brain regions, and on behaviors routinely used as endophenotypes to model psychosis in rodents. Wistar rats were implanted with local field potential recording electrodes in the prefrontal cortex, dorsal hippocampus and nucleus accumbens, as well as cannulae in these regions to facilitate drug infusion. Rats received bilateral infusions of MK801 (0, 5μg, 20μg, 50μg) into one of the three target regions and their behavior measured in an open field. We also assessed the effects of systemic MK801 injection (0.16mg/kg sc). Electrophysiological signals were recorded continuously, allowing assessment of gamma oscillations (30-80Hz) and high-frequency oscillations (HFO: 130-180Hz) occurring as a result of infusions. Regardless of MK801 infusion location, gamma oscillations and HFOs significantly and consistently increased in all three regions studied, similar to that observed following systemic injection. Locomotor activity, stereotypies and ataxia were also observed following infusion into all regions. We conclude that localized regions exhibiting NMDAr hypofunction are sufficient to disrupt local as well as diffuse neural circuits and global brain function, and concomitantly cause psychosis-related behavioral effects.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Brain; Brain Waves; Disease Models, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electroencephalography; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Gamma Rhythm; Locomotion; Male; Psychotic Disorders; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Stereotyped Behavior

Aberrant increases in NMDA receptor (NMDAR) signaling contributes to central nervous system sensitization and chronic pain by activating neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and generating nitric oxide (NO). Because the scaffolding protein postsynaptic density 95kDA (PSD95) tethers nNOS to NMDARs, the PSD95-nNOS complex represents a therapeutic target. Small molecule inhibitors IC87201 (EC5O: 23.94 μM) and ZL006 (EC50: 12.88 μM) directly inhibited binding of purified PSD95 and nNOS proteins in AlphaScreen without altering binding of PSD95 to ErbB4. Both PSD95-nNOS inhibitors suppressed glutamate-induced cell death with efficacy comparable to MK-801. IC87201 and ZL006 preferentially suppressed phase 2A pain behavior in the formalin test and suppressed allodynia induced by intraplantar complete Freund's adjuvant administration. IC87201 and ZL006 suppressed mechanical and cold allodynia induced by the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel (ED50s: 2.47 and 0.93 mg/kg i.p. for IC87201 and ZL006, respectively). Efficacy of PSD95-nNOS disruptors was similar to MK-801. Motor ataxic effects were induced by MK-801 but not by ZL006 or IC87201. Finally, MK-801 produced hyperalgesia in the tail-flick test whereas IC87201 and ZL006 did not alter basal nociceptive thresholds. Our studies establish the utility of using AlphaScreen and purified protein pairs to establish and quantify disruption of protein-protein interactions. Our results demonstrate previously unrecognized antinociceptive efficacy of ZL006 and establish, using two small molecules, a broad application for PSD95-nNOS inhibitors in treating neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Collectively, our results demonstrate that disrupting PSD95-nNOS protein-protein interactions is effective in attenuating pathological pain without producing unwanted side effects (i.e. motor ataxia) associated with NMDAR antagonists.

Topics: Aminosalicylic Acids; Analgesics; Animals; Ataxia; Benzylamines; Brain; Cell Death; Cells, Cultured; Chlorophenols; Disease Models, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Hyperalgesia; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Male; Membrane Proteins; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neurons; Neuroprotective Agents; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; Nociceptive Pain; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Triazoles

Selective uncompetitive antagonists of the phencyclidine (PCP) binding site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) are known to have therapeutic potential as anticonvulsants and neuroprotective agents. Several fluorinated molecules with each containing a cycloheptane ring were designed to probe the PCP pharmacophore and test the influence of fluorine substitution on NMDAR binding and in vivo efficacy. Syntheses and analyses of six novel compounds, 1-(4- fluorophenyl)cycloheptanamine (3), 1-(1-(4-fluorophenyl)cycloheptyl)piperidine (4), 1-(1-(4-fluorophenyl)cycloheptyl) pyrrolidine (5), 1-(3-fluorophenyl)cycloheptanamine (6), 1-(1-(3-fluorophenyl)cycloheptyl)piperidine (7), 1-(1-(3-fluorophenyl) cycloheptyl)pyrrolidine (8) and several related reference arylcyloalkylamines are described. Receptor binding was performed at the PCP site of NMDAR for each compound using [(3)H]-(+)-MK-801 displacement. Unexpectedly, the 3- fluoro- primary amine 6 had the greatest affinity of the series and these binding results support a different structure activity relationship (SAR) profile for arylcycloheptylamines when compared to arylcyclohexylamines like PCP. Five of the novel compounds have affinity (Ki) in the hundred nM (10(-7)) range. In addition, compounds 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were evaluated and found to exhibit neuroprotective effects from NMDA induced toxicity in vitro and compounds 6, 7 and 8 exhibited anticonvulsant activities in rats. An ED50 of 13.84 mg/kg was found for compound 6 in rat maximal electroshock (MES) test with a protective index (PI) of 3.66 against ataxia. These results support further investigation of the arylcycloheptylamine class.

Topics: Amines; Animals; Anticonvulsants; Ataxia; Binding Sites; Binding, Competitive; Cycloheptanes; Dizocilpine Maleate; Electroshock; Halogenation; Hippocampus; Neurons; Neuroprotective Agents; Phencyclidine; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Structure-Activity Relationship; Tissue Culture Techniques; Tritium

Stimulating the glycine(B) binding site on the N-methyl-d-aspartate ionotropic glutamate receptor (NMDAR) has been proposed as a novel mechanism for modulating behavioral effects of ethanol (EtOH) that are mediated via the NMDAR, including acute intoxication. Here, we pharmacologically interrogated this hypothesis in mice.. Effects of systemic injection of the glycine(B) agonist, d-serine, the GlyT-1 glycine transporter inhibitor, ALX-5407, and the glycine(B) antagonist, L-701,324, were tested for the effects on EtOH-induced ataxia, hypothermia, and loss of righting reflex (LORR) duration in C57BL/6J (B6) and 129S1/SvImJ (S1) inbred mice. Effects of the glycine(B) partial agonist, d-cycloserine (DCS), the GlyT-1 inhibitor, N-[3-(4'-fluorophenyl)-3-(4'-phenylphenoxy)propyl]sarcosine (NFPS), and the glycine(B) antagonist, 5,7-dichlorokynurenic (DCKA), on EtOH-induced LORR duration were also tested. Interaction effects on EtOH-induced LORR duration were examined via combined treatment with d-serine and ALX-5407, d-serine and MK-801, d-serine and L-701,324, as well as L-701,324 and ALX-5407, in B6 mice, and d-serine in GluN2A and PSD-95 knockout mice. The effect of dietary depletion of magnesium (Mg), an element that interacts with the glycine(B) site, was also tested.. Neither d-serine, DCS, ALX-5407, nor NFPS significantly affected EtOH intoxication on any of the measures or strains studied. L-701,324, but not DCKA, dose-dependently potentiated the ataxia-inducing effects of EtOH and increased EtOH-induced (but not pentobarbital-induced) LORR duration. d-serine did not have interactive effects on EtOH-induced LORR duration when combined with ALX-5407. The EtOH-potentiating effects of L-701,324, but not MK-801, on LORR duration were prevented by d-serine, but not ALX-5407. Mg depletion potentiated LORR duration in B6 mice and was lethal in a large proportion of S1 mice.. Glycine(B) site activation failed to produce the hypothesized reduction in EtOH intoxication across a range of measures and genetic strains, but blockade of the glycine(B) site potentiated EtOH intoxication. These data suggest endogenous activity at the glycine(B) opposes EtOH intoxication, but it may be difficult to pharmacologically augment this action, at least in nondependent subjects, perhaps because of physiological saturation of the glycine(B) site.

Topics: Alcoholic Intoxication; Animals; Ataxia; Cycloserine; Disease Models, Animal; Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein; Dizocilpine Maleate; Drug Therapy, Combination; Glycine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; Guanylate Kinases; Hypothermia; Kynurenic Acid; Magnesium; Male; Membrane Proteins; Mice; Mice, 129 Strain; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Quinolones; Receptors, Glycine; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Reflex, Righting; Sarcosine; Serine

N-methyl-D-asparate (NMDA)-mediated glutamatergic neurotransmission is strongly involved in the development of trauma-induced behavioral dysfunctions, and indirect evidence suggests that NR2B subunit-expressing NMDA receptors are primarily involved in this process. Earlier studies showed that NR2B blockers inhibit the acquisition of conditioned fear, a frequently used model of post-traumatic stress disorder, but their effects on the expression of conditioned fear was poorly studied. We investigated here the effects of the selective serotonin reuptake blocker, fluoxetine, the NMDA blocker, MK-801, and the NR2B subunit blocker, Ro25-6981 on the expression of conditioned fear. Rats received 10 foot shocks administered over 5 min and were tested 24 h later in the shocking context. Treatments were administered 1 h before testing. Shocks dramatically increased freezing and reduced exploration. MK-801 and Ro25-6981 significantly ameliorated both changes. The effects of fluoxetine were less pronounced. In the open field, MK-801 increased locomotion, ataxia, and stereotypy (effects typical of NMDA blockade). Neither fluoxetine nor Ro25-6981 affected locomotion in the open field. Thus, the NR2B-specific NMDA blockade preserved the beneficial effects of general NMDA antagonists on the expression of conditioned fear but did not produce the locomotor side-effects typical of the latter. These findings warrant further studies on the effects of NR2B antagonists in models of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Disease Models, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Electroshock; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Exploratory Behavior; Fear; Fluoxetine; Freezing Reaction, Cataleptic; Locomotion; Male; Phenols; Piperidines; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Stereotypic Movement Disorder; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Phospholipase C-β1 (PLC-β1) is a critical component of multiple signalling pathways downstream of neurotransmitter receptors. Mice lacking this enzyme display a striking behavioural phenotype with relevance to human psychiatric disease. Glutamatergic dysfunction is strongly associated with several abnormal behavioural states and may underlie part of the phenotype of the phospholipase C-β1 knockout (KO) mouse. A heightened response to glutamatergic psychotomimetic drugs is a critical psychosis-related endophenotype, and in this study it was employed as a correlate of glutamatergic dysfunction. Control (n=8) and PLC-β1 KO mice (n=6) were treated with MK-801, a NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, following either standard housing or environmental enrichment, and the motor function and locomotor activity thus evoked was assessed. In addition, MK-801 binding to the NMDAR was evaluated through radioligand autoradiography in post-mortem tissue (on a drug-naive cohort). We have demonstrated a significantly increased sensitivity to the effects of the NMDA antagonist MK-801 in the PLC-β1 KO mouse. In addition, we found that this mouse line displays reduced hippocampal NMDAR expression, as measured by radioligand binding. We previously documented a reversal of specific phenotypes in this mouse line following housing in an enriched environment. Enrichment did not alter this heightened MK-801 response, nor NMDAR expression, indicating that this therapeutic intervention works on specific pathways only. These findings demonstrate the critical role of the glutamatergic system in the phenotype of the PLC-β1 KO mouse and highlight the role of these interconnected signalling pathways in schizophrenia-like behavioural disruption. These results also shed further light on the capacity of environmental factors to modulate subsets of these phenotypes.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Ataxia; Autoradiography; Behavior, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Genotype; Hippocampus; Housing, Animal; Mice; Mice, 129 Strain; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Motor Activity; Phenotype; Phospholipase C beta; Radioligand Assay; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenic Psychology; Stereotyped Behavior

The glutamate system plays a major role in mediating EtOH's effects on brain and behavior, and is implicated in the pathophysiology of alcohol-related disorders. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists such as MK-801 (dizocilpine) interact with EtOH at the behavioral level, but the molecular basis of this interaction is unclear.. We first characterized the effects of MK-801 treatment on responses to the ataxic (accelerating rotarod), hypothermic and sedative/hypnotic effects of acute EtOH administration in C57BL/6J and 129/SvImJ inbred mice. Effects of another NMDAR antagonist, phencyclidine, on EtOH-induced sedation/hypnosis were also assessed. Gene knockout of the NMDAR subunit NR2A or l-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate GluR1 or pharmacological antagonism of the NMDAR subunit NR2B (via Ro 25-6981) was employed to examine whether inactivating any one of these glutamate signaling molecules modified MK-801's effect on EtOH-related behaviors.. MK-801 markedly potentiated the ataxic effects of 1.75 g/kg EtOH and the sedative/hypnotic effects of 3.0 g/kg EtOH, but not the hypothermic effects of 3.0 g/kg EtOH, in C57BL/6J and 129/SvImJ mice. Phencyclidine potentiated EtOH-induced sedation/hypnosis in both inbred strains. Neither NR2A nor GluR1 KO significantly altered basal EtOH-induced ataxia, hypothermia, or sedation/hypnosis. Ro 25-6981 modestly increased EtOH-induced sedation/hypnosis. The ability of MK-801 to potentiate EtOH-induced ataxia and sedation/hypnosis was unaffected by GluR1 KO or NR2B antagonism. NR2A KO partially reduced MK-801 + EtOH-induced sedation/hypnosis, but not ataxia or hypothermia.. Data confirm a robust and response-specific potentiating effect of MK-801 on sensitivity to EtOH's intoxicating effects. Inactivation of three major components of glutamate signaling had no or only partial impact on the ability of MK-801 to potentiate behavioral sensitivity to EtOH. Further work to elucidate the mechanisms underlying NMDAR x EtOH interactions could ultimately provide novel insight into the role of NMDARs in alcoholism and its treatment.

Topics: Alcoholic Intoxication; Animals; Ataxia; Central Nervous System Depressants; Disease Models, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Drug Interactions; Ethanol; Female; Hypothermia; Immobility Response, Tonic; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Neuroprotective Agents; Phencyclidine; Receptors, AMPA; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate

Schizophrenia is mostly a progressive psychiatric illness. Although cognitive changes in chronic schizophrenia have been investigated, little is known about the consequences of a single psychotic episode on memory mechanisms and formation. We investigated changes in hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and spatial memory in a rat model of an acute psychotic episode. Application of NMDA receptor antagonists, such as MK801 (dizolcilpine) in rats, have been shown to give rise to an acute and short-lasting behavioral state, which mirrors many symptoms of schizophrenia. Furthermore, NMDA antagonist-intake in humans elicits symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations, delusions, and affective blunting. We therefore treated animals with a single systemic injection of MK801 (5 mg/kg). Increased stereotypy, locomotion, and ataxia were evident immediately after MK801-treatment, with effects disappearing within 24 h. MK801-treatment caused a disruption of prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex, 1 day but not 7 or 28 days after treatment. These effects were consistent with the occurrence of an acute psychotic episode. LTP was profoundly impaired in freely moving rats 7 days after MK801 application. Four weeks after treatment, a slight recovery of LTP was seen, however marked deficits in long-term spatial memory were evident. These data suggest that treatment with MK801 to generate an acute psychotic episode in rats, gives rise to grave disturbances in synaptic plasticity and is associated with lasting impairments with the ability to form spatial memory.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Ataxia; Defecation; Dentate Gyrus; Disease Models, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Grooming; Long-Term Potentiation; Male; Maze Learning; Memory Disorders; Motor Activity; Neuronal Plasticity; Psychotic Disorders; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Reflex, Startle; Schizophrenia; Smell

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog that is used to treat narcolepsy but that is also abused. GHB has many actions in common with the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen, but their underlying GABA(B) receptor mechanisms may be different.. The aim of this study is to further investigate a possible differential role of glutamate in GABA(B) receptor-mediated effects of GHB and baclofen.. The experiments examined the effects of non-competitive antagonists at the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptors on GHB-induced catalepsy and compared these effects with those on baclofen-induced catalepsy.. In C57BL/6J mice, ketamine, phencyclidine (PCP), and dizocilpine (MK-801) all enhanced GHB-induced catalepsy. They did so with a potency order (i.e., MK-801 > PCP > ketamine) consistent with their relative potencies as NMDA antagonists but not as inhibitors of dopamine or organic cation transporters. Ketamine, PCP, and MK-801 enhanced catalepsy along inverted U-shaped dose-response curves likely because higher doses affected motor coordination, which limited their catalepsy-enhancing effects. Doses that were maximally effective to enhance GHB-induced catalepsy did not affect the cataleptic effects of baclofen.. The finding that NMDA receptor antagonists enhance the cataleptic effects of GHB but not those of baclofen is further evidence that the GABA(B) receptor mechanisms mediating the effects of GHB and GABA(B) agonists are not identical. Differential interactions of glutamate with the GABA(B) receptor mechanisms mediating the effects of GHB and baclofen may explain why GHB is effective for treating narcolepsy and is abused, whereas baclofen is not.

Topics: Anesthetics, Intravenous; Animals; Area Under Curve; Ataxia; Baclofen; Catalepsy; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Ketamine; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Muscle Relaxants, Central; Phencyclidine; Receptors, GABA-B; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Sodium Oxybate

The behavioral effects produced by MK-801 (0.4 mg/kg) were compared in mutant DAO-/- mice lacking D-amino acid oxidase activity and normal DAO+/+ mice. Mutant mice display marked diminution of stereotypy and ataxia induced by MK-801 compared to normal mice. Because the D-serine level in the brain of mutant mice is significantly higher than that of normal mice, the elevated D-serine in the brain of mutant mice could antagonize MK-801-induced stereotypy and ataxia.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; D-Amino-Acid Oxidase; Dizocilpine Maleate; Locomotion; Male; Mice; Mice, Mutant Strains; Stereotyped Behavior

N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists cause hyperlocomotion and cognitive deficits in rodents, and caffeine-tolerant mice show diminished locomotor response to NMDA receptor antagonists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of subchronic caffeine treatment on MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion, ataxia and cognitive deficits, as well as amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion in mice. Mice were treated subchronically with caffeine (0, 0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/ml and 1, 3 and 7 days) and evaluated for locomotor activity, working memory (delayed alternation test), long-term memory (inhibitory avoidance task) and ataxia. Hyperlocomotion induced by MK-801 (0.25 mg/kg i.p.) was diminished after 3 days and almost abolished after 7 days of caffeine treatment at the 1 mg/ml dose, and this effect was also dose-dependent. Ataxia induced by 0.5 mg/kg MK-801 was not affected by caffeine treatment, but a short-lived hyperlocomotor effect was observed. Performance deficit in the inhibitory avoidance task induced by MK-801 (0.01 mg/kg) was prevented in mice treated with caffeine for 7 days at 1 mg/ml, and perseverative errors in the T-maze by MK-801 (0.4 mg/kg) were attenuated. The locomotor effect of amphetamine (5 mg/kg) was unaffected by subchronic caffeine treatment. The findings that hyperlocomotion and cognitive effects induced by MK-801 can be specifically influenced by reduced adenosinergic activity agree with a model of adenosine hypofunction in schizophrenia, since NMDA receptor antagonists are pharmacological models for this disorder.

Topics: Adenosine; Amphetamine; Animals; Ataxia; Caffeine; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Cognition; Disease Models, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Humans; Locomotion; Male; Mice; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Schizophrenia

The importance of the cAMP signaling pathway in the modulation of ethanol sensitivity has been suggested by studies in organisms from Drosophila melanogaster to man. However, the involvement of specific isoforms of adenylyl cyclase (AC), the molecule that converts ATP to cAMP, has not been systemically determined in vivo. Because AC1 and AC8 are the only AC isoforms stimulated by calcium, and ethanol modulates calcium flux by the NMDA receptor, we hypothesized that these ACs would be important in the neural response to ethanol. AC1 knock-out (KO) mice and double knock-out (DKO) mice with genetic deletion of both AC1 and AC8 display substantially increased sensitivity to ethanol-induced sedation compared with wild-type (WT) mice, whereas AC8 KO mice are only minimally more sensitive. In contrast, AC8 KO and DKO mice, but not AC1 KO mice, demonstrate decreased voluntary ethanol consumption compared with WT mice. DKO mice do not display increased sleep time compared with WT mice after administration of ketamine or pentobarbital, indicating that the mechanism of enhanced ethanol sensitivity in these mice is likely distinct from the antagonism of ethanol of the NMDA receptor and potentiation of the GABA(A) receptor. Ethanol does not enhance calcium-stimulated AC activity, but the ethanol-induced phosphorylation of a discrete subset of protein kinase A (PKA) substrates is compromised in the brains of DKO mice. These results indicate that the unique activation of PKA signaling mediated by the calcium-stimulated ACs is an important component of the neuronal response to ethanol.

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclases; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Blotting, Western; Calcium; Central Nervous System Depressants; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enzyme Activation; Ethanol; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Food Preferences; GABA Agonists; Isoxazoles; Ketamine; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Neurons; Pentobarbital; Phosphorylation; Psychomotor Performance; Quinine; Reaction Time; Reflex; Saccharin; Sleep

We previously reported that chronic administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists reduced the density of vasopressin V1a receptors in several brain regions in rats that demonstrated social interaction deficits and increased locomotor activity. These observations indicate the ability of arginine-vasopressin (AVP), or its analogues, to modulate behavioral abnormalities associated with blockade of NMDA receptors. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of NC-1900, an AVP analogue, on social behavior and locomotor activity in rats treated with MK-801, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist. Male Wistar rats were administered MK-801 (0.13 mg/kg/day ip) or saline for 14 days. Social behavior and locomotor activity were measured 45 min after the injection of NC-1900 (10 ng/kg sc) or saline together with the last MK-801 or vehicle administration. Social interaction was quantified by an automated video-tracking system, and stereotyped behavior and ataxia were manually measured. Acute administration of NC-1900 partially reversed MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion and deficits in social interaction, while NC-1900 itself did not affect these behavioral measures in animals chronically treated with vehicle saline. These results suggest that the central AVP system may interact with glutamatergic and dopaminergic transmissions, and indicate potential therapeutic effects of AVP analogues on positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Arginine Vasopressin; Ataxia; Dizocilpine Maleate; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Hyperkinesis; Male; Motor Activity; Oligopeptides; Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Schizophrenia; Social Behavior Disorders; Stereotyped Behavior

The ability of mono- and dicationic phenylcyclohexyl derivatives, which are non-competitive glutamate antagonists, to prevent convulsions induced in mice by intragastric NMDA or kainate, to weaken catalepsy induced in rats by haloperidol and to exert their own influences of movement activity and behavior in animals was studied. The actions of study compounds were compared with those of the known NMDA antagonists memantine and dizocilpine. NMDA-induced convulsions were effectively prevented by both mono- and dications, while only dications were effective against kainate convulsions. Anticataleptic activity was significantly more marked in monocations, which lacked the ability to block non-NMDA receptors. Side effects on motor coordination were less marked with study compounds than with dizocilpine. Thus, the effects of phenylcyclohexyl derivatives in in vivo experimental models correlate with their anti-NMDA and anti-AMPA activity. They can be regarded as potential agents for treating parkinsonism and other motor disorders.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Catalepsy; Diamines; Disease Models, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dopamine Antagonists; Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Haloperidol; Kainic Acid; Memantine; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; N-Methylaspartate; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Seizures; Structure-Activity Relationship; Time Factors

Inhibition of glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors following the administration of NMDA receptor antagonists results in psychotic-like behaviour. Whereas it is known that pharmacological manipulation of dopaminergic and serotonergic pathways affect this drug-induced psychosis, a role for noradrenaline has not yet been clearly defined.. Thus, in the present study, we assessed a possible role for noradrenaline in the behavioural response to the non-competitive NMDA receptor anatgonist, MK-801, in male CD-I mice.. MK-801 (0.02-1.28 mg/kg; ED50 0.2 mg/kg; s.c.) induced a dose-dependent increase in locomotor, stereotypic and ataxic behaviours. Pre-treatment with the noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors, desipramine (10 mg/kg; i.p.) and reboxetine (20 mg/kg; i.p.), attenuated the locomotor, stereotypic and ataxic response to MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg; s.c.). The noradrenergic system was lesioned with N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine hydrochloride (DSP-4, 50 mg/kg; i.p., 7 and 4 days prior to challenge) to reduce noradrenaline concentrations in the cortex by 70%-80%. Whereas DSP-4 lesioning had little effect on the response to MK-801, it completely reversed the attenuating effects of reboxetine. Pre-treatment with the alpha2 adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine (0.2 mg/kg; i.p.), and the antagonist, yohimbine (2 mg/kg; i.p.), attenuated and potentiated the response to MK-801, respectively. Pre-treatment with the alpha1 adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin (2 mg/kg; i.p.), reduced the MK-801-induced response.. It therefore appears that presynaptic noradrenergic alpha2 and postsynaptic alpha1 adrenoceptor stimulation exert opposing effects on the behavioural expression of MK-801 in mice.

Topics: Adrenergic Agents; Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; Animals; Ataxia; Benzylamines; Clonidine; Desipramine; Dizocilpine Maleate; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Frontal Lobe; Male; Mesencephalon; Mice; Morpholines; Motor Activity; Norepinephrine; Prazosin; Reboxetine; Stereotyped Behavior

We examined the involvement of multiple monoaminergic receptors in the induction of spontaneous tail-flicks (STFs) by the open channel blocker at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, dizocilpine, and the NMDA recognition site antagonist 3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP). At doses eliciting a maximal STF response, dizocilpine and CPP elevated levels of norepinephrine, but not dopamine or serotonin, in dialysates of nucleus accumbens, their known locus of action in eliciting STFs. Chemically diverse alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor (AR) antagonists atipamezole, L745,743, RX821,002, idazoxan, and desfluparoxan abolished induction of STFs by dizocilpine, whereas the preferential alpha(1)-AR antagonists prazosin, WB4101, and ARC239 were weakly active: relative potencies in blocking STFs correlated significantly with affinity at alpha(2)-ARs. The D(1)/D(5) receptor antagonists SCH23390, SCH39166, and NNC756 potently abolished STFs, whereas the D(2) antagonist L741,626, the D(3) antagonists GR218,231 and S14297, and the D(4) antagonists S18126 and L745,870 were inactive. D(1) and alpha(2)-AR antagonists also blocked induction of STFs by CPP. Blockade of dizocilpine-induced STFs was specific inasmuch as idazoxan and SCH 23390 did not modify induction of ataxia by dizocilpine. Antagonists at multiple 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors failed to modify induction of STFs. Finally, dizocilpine-induced STFs were blocked by clozapine and 11 other antipsychotics, the potency of which correlated significantly with affinity at alpha(2)-ARs. In conclusion, STFs evoked by interruption of transmission at NMDA receptors are dependent on D(1) receptors and alpha(2)-ARs for their expression. Antagonism of the alpha(2)-ARs is involved in their blockade by antipsychotics. This model should facilitate exploration of interrelationships between glutamatergic and monoaminergic mechanisms involved in psychiatric and neurologic disorders.

Topics: 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; Animals; Antipsychotic Agents; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Binding Sites; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dopamine; Dopamine Antagonists; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Male; Mice; Norepinephrine; Nucleus Accumbens; Piperazines; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Serotonin; Serotonin Antagonists; Tail; Time Factors

A long-term akinesia induced by haloperidol used as an experimental model of catalepsy helped to reveal that a dicationic derivatives adamantane (IEM-1754) and phenylcyclohexyl (IEM-1925) exerted different degrees of inhibition of the haloperidol effect: the IEM-1754 proved to be not inferior to the most effective NMDA antagonist MK-801. A relatively low potency of the IEM-1925 may be due to its obvious equal effects both on the NMDA and the AMPA receptor channels. A good correlation between the anticataleptic effects of the glutamate antagonists and the NMDA receptor blocking activity, were found. The AMPA receptor blockade might negatively affect the anticataleptic potency of the drugs under study.

Topics: Adamantane; Animals; Antipsychotic Agents; Ataxia; Catalepsy; Diamines; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Haloperidol; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Stereotyped Behavior

In this study we investigated the effect of lesioning the noradrenergic systems on the behavioral effects of (5R, 10S)-(+)-5-Methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo [a, d] cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrogen maleate--MK-801, in rats. The noradrenergic system was lesioned with N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine hydrochloride--DSP4 (60 mg/kg IP). MK-801 increased the locomotor activity and rearing. DSP4 significantly further increased the hyperlocomotor activity, circling (especially to the left side), sniffing, rolling, and falling that were induced by MK-801. These results showed that destruction of the noradrenergic system increased MK-801-hyperlocomotor activity, ataxia and stereotypy.

Topics: Adrenergic Agents; Animals; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Benzylamines; Dizocilpine Maleate; Drug Synergism; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Male; Motor Activity; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Stereotyped Behavior

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the motor impairment (myorelaxation/ataxia) induced by excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists was exaggerated by pretreatment with ethanol. The results were compared with those of gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptor positive modulators alone and in combination with ethanol. The excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists, dizocilpine [(+)-MK-801; (5R,1OS)-(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten+ ++-5,10-imine], (+/-)-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP), LY 326325 [(-)-(3S,4aR,6R,8R)-6-[2-(1(2)H-tetrazol-5-yl)-ethyl]-dec ahydroisoquinaline-3-carboxylic acid], LY 300164 [7,8-methylenedioxy-1-(4-aminophenyl)-4-methyl-3-acetyl-4,5-dihydro-2,3- benzodiazepine], and ACEA 1011 (5-chloro-7-trifluoromethyl-1,4-dihydro-2,3-quinoxalinedione) produced dose-dependent myorelaxation/ataxia in mice as determined using the horizontal wire assay. Their behaviorally toxic doses (TD(50)s) were 0.41, 5.8, 33.0, 5.9, and 31.0 mg/kg, respectively, when administered alone i.p. In the presence of a sub-ataxic dose of ethanol (1.5 g/kg, i.p.), the TD(50)s of the excitatory amino acid antagonists were 0.13, 1.8, 10.4, 1.3, and 14.0 mg/kg, respectively. Similarly, the GABA(A) receptor positive modulators, pregnanolone, chlordiazepoxide, and pentobarbital exhibited TD(50)s of 20.8, 4.6, and 29.7 mg/kg, respectively, when administered alone and 2.7, 0.3, and 11.4 mg/kg, respectively, when administered in the presence of ethanol. Thus, similar to the GABA(A) receptor positive modulators, excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists exhibit the propensity to interact with ethanol and to have their motor side-effects exaggerated.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Benzodiazepines; Central Nervous System Depressants; Chlordiazepoxide; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Ethanol; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Isoquinolines; Male; Mice; Muscle Relaxation; Pentobarbital; Piperazines; Pregnanolone; Psychomotor Performance; Quinoxalines; Receptors, Glutamate; Tetrazoles

The effects of environmental novelty on locomotion elicited by an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, (+)MK-801 hydrogen maleate [(5R,10S)-(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5, 10-imine], were investigated. Male and female rats aged 10, 20, 30 or 54-68 days were injected s.c. with MK801 and placed in activity monitors either immediately (no-delay) or after a 60 min delay (delay). In the no-delay condition, MK801 induced an inverse U-shaped dose-response effect on locomotion; peak activation occurred with 0.1 mg/kg and ataxia occurred with higher doses. The introduction of a novel environment 60 min after drug injection shifted the dose-effect function of MK801 to the left; i.e., in rats 20 days of age and older, the activity induced by 0.1 mg/kg MK801 was potentiated in the delay condition. For the 0.5 mg/kg dose, 20-day-olds showed activation in the no-delay condition but ataxia in the delay condition. This dose induced ataxia followed by activation in 30-day-olds and adult males or ataxia in adult females, regardless of delay condition. Age-, gender-, and novelty-dependent variations in MK801-induced locomotion may reflect differences in limbic-motor circuitry.

Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Ataxia; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Environment; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Female; Locomotion; Male; Pregnancy; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Sex Factors; Time Factors

Non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists show antiparkinsonian-like activity in animal models, and possess neuroprotective properties. However they also induce a number of behavioral side effects in rodents at higher doses; these include learning impairment, hyperlocomotion, and ataxia. The present study focused on the possible development of tolerance, or sensitization, to any of these effects after sustained administration, either by repeated injection or continuous infusion. When memantine or (+)MK-801 (20 and 0.31 mg/kg/day respectively) were either infused or repeatedly injected for 14 days, tolerance was observed to their learning impairing effect at high doses, in a passive avoidance test. Tolerance to their ataxic effect developed after repeated administration ((+)MK-801 and memantine), or after infusion (memantine). Sensitization to the locomotor stimulation was seen following repetitive injections of memantine for 14 days, but not seen with (+)MK-801. In animals with an unilateral 6-OHDA lesion of the nigrostriatal system, acute administration of memantine caused ipsilateral rotations, which were augmented following 14 days of infusion. The potency of amantadine to antagonize neuroleptic-induced catalepsy was unchanged following either infusion or repeated injections. The various acute effects of non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists were modified differently by sustained treatment (i.e. tolerance to learning impairment and ataxia; sensitization to memantine's locomotor stimulation). The anti-cataleptic activity of amantadine remained unaltered. However, differences between drugs and the two treatment regimens (i.e. repetitive versus continuous treatments) were apparent.

Topics: Amantadine; Animals; Ataxia; Avoidance Learning; Behavior, Animal; Catalepsy; Dizocilpine Maleate; Drug Implants; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Male; Memantine; Motor Activity; Oxidopamine; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Stereotyped Behavior; Sympathectomy, Chemical; Sympathomimetics; Time Factors

In this study, we examined the acute anticonvulsant spectrum of (1) dizocilpine (0.03-3 mg/kg), CGS 19755 (1-10 mg/kg), and 7-chlorokynurenic acid (1-100 nmol) (NMDA receptor/ionophore complex antagonists); (2) muscimol (0.1-10 nmol; direct GABA(A) agonist); (3) YM90K (3-10 mg/kg; AMPA receptor antagonist); and (4) diazepam (2 and 5 mg/kg) and carbamazepine (5 and 20 mg/kg), two standard anticonvulsants, using the partially-kindled hippocampal model for epileptic seizures in freely moving rats. The anticonvulsant effect of these compounds were assessed by determining (1) the afterdischarge (AD), which is indicative of the severity of the seizure and related to seizure maintenance, and (2) the pulse number threshold (PNT), which is indicative of the seizure threshold or initiation. In addition, ataxia, a measure of CNS dysfunction, was assessed for each compound. Overall, our results indicated that the anticonvulsant compounds examined could be classified into three categories based on effects on the AD and PNT: (1) elevation of PNT (carbamazepine, dizocilpine, CGS 19755 and 7-chlorokynurenic acid); (2) reduction of AD (diazepam and muscimol); and (3) mixed action, i.e., increased PNT and decreased AD (YM90K). Behavioral data indicated that all compounds, except carbamazepine, produced a dose- or concentration-dependent ataxia. Overall, our results suggest that NMDA receptors play a role in seizure initiation, whereas the GABA(A) receptors appear to be involved in seizure maintenance and AMPA receptors may be involved in both phenomena.

Topics: Animals; Anticonvulsants; Ataxia; Carbamazepine; Diazepam; Dizocilpine Maleate; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; GABA Agonists; Hippocampus; Kynurenic Acid; Male; Muscimol; Pipecolic Acids; Quinoxalines; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Seizures

This study examined the effects of the sigma receptor ligands (+)-N-allylnormetazocine ((+)-SKF10,047) and 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl)-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine dihydrochloride (SA4503) on dizocilpine-induced impairment of working and reference memory in a radial arm maze task in rats. Dizocilpine, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, significantly impaired both reference and working memory, an effect which was accompanied by ataxia and impairment of food intake. The dizocilpine-induced impairment of reference memory was dose-dependently attenuated by (+)-SKF10,047 and SA4503. SA4503 also attenuated the dizocilpine-induced working memory impairment, although (+)-SKF10,047 had no effect. Neither sigma receptor ligand affected the behavioral symptoms such as ataxia and impairment of food intake induced by dizocilpine. The ameliorating effects of both (+)-SKF10,047 and SA4503 on dizocilpine-induced spatial memory impairment were completely antagonized by a sigma1 receptor antagonist N,N-dipropyl-2-[4-methoxy-3-(2-phenylethoxy)phenyl]-ethylamine-mon ohydrochloride. These results suggest that the interaction of sigma1 receptors with NMDA receptors modulates spatial memory in rats.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Eating; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Male; Maze Learning; Memory Disorders; Nootropic Agents; Phenazocine; Piperazines; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Receptors, sigma

The noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, dizocilpine maleate {(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]-cyclohepten-5, 10-imine maleate} [(+)MK-801], has attracted considerable interest because of its potential use as an anticonvulsant and neuroprotectant. However, its cognitive side effects in humans have limited its use in human pharmacotherapy. Although the behavioral effects of (+)MK-801 have been documented in mouse, rat, pigeon, and rhesus monkey, there are no available data on its effects in guinea pig. The objective of this study was to conduct a dose-response analysis of the effects of (+)MK-801 on stereotyped behavior, ataxia, locomotor activity, and righting reflex latency in guinea pig. In the dose range used (0.0625-0.5 mg/kg, IP), we found no significant differences between (+)MK-801 and vehicle in terms of stereotyped behavior and locomotor activity; however, at higher doses, (+)MK-801 caused significant ataxia and impairment of the righting reflex. By comparison, the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, 3-((+/-)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP,5 mg/kg, IP), produced neither stereotyped behavior nor impairment of the righting reflex; at higher doses (10 mg/kg, IP), it produced only ataxia and an increase in locomotor activity.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Guinea Pigs; Motor Activity; Piperazines; Postural Balance; Reflex; Stereotyped Behavior

Systemic administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists induces a well defined behaviour in rodents characterized by, for example increased locomotion and ataxia. It is not clear in what brain region(s) NMDA antagonists induce this behaviour. We have studied the possible involvement of olfactory pathways by making adult mice anosmic via intranasal injection of zinc sulphate, a procedure that is known to destroy the olfactory epithelium. The NMDA antagonist MK-801 was given intraperitoneally (0.1-1.0 mg/kg) and the animals were scored for locomotion and ataxia 60-90 min later. Before MK-801 administration, olfactory-lesioned mice did not differ from non-lesioned controls with regard to locomotion or ataxia. MK-801 caused locomotor activation (> or = 0.2 mg/kg) and ataxia (> or = 0.5 mg/kg) in both groups. In general, olfactory-lesioned animals showed more locomotion and less ataxia after MK-801 administration than non-lesioned animals. Lesioned animals displayed 2.0- (P < 0.05) and 3.7-fold (P < 0.05) more extensive locomotor activation than non-lesioned animals after 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg of MK-801, respectively. No difference in the degree of ataxia was seen between the two groups at 0.5 mg/kg, whereas non-lesioned animals showed a 2.1-fold higher degree of ataxia after 1.0 mg/kg of MK-801, indicating that the enhanced MK-801-induced locomotor activation in olfactory-lesioned mice was not simply due to less ataxia. These results suggest that olfactory input is involved in NMDA antagonist-induced behaviour.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Denervation; Dizocilpine Maleate; Excitatory Amino Acids; Male; Mice; Motor Activity; Nerve Degeneration; Neurons, Afferent; Olfaction Disorders; Olfactory Bulb; Organ Size; Sulfates; Zinc Compounds; Zinc Sulfate

Tolerance occurred to the sedative actions of the competitive NMDA antagonists, CGP39551 and CGP37849, as measured by a decrease in spontaneous locomotor activity after 1 week or 2 weeks of administration, respectively, in studies using the TO strain of mice. Crosstolerance was seen between these compounds. When CGP37849 was given after 2 weeks treatment with CGP39551, an increase in locomotor activity was seen. Chronic barbiturate treatment, producing tolerance to the actions of pentobarbitone, did not affect the sedative properties of CGP39551 or CGP37849. Chronic treatment with CGP39551 did not alter the ataxic actions of pentobarbitone. Seven days of treatment with HA966 caused complete tolerance to its sedative actions, but no crosstolerance was seen to pentobarbitone, CGP39551, or CGP37849. A small but significant decrease was seen in the convulsion thresholds to NMDA after 15 days of treatment with CGP39551, and a small significant increase in ratings of convulsive behavior after 16 days injections of CGP37849. No significant changes were found in either Bmax or Kd for [3H]-MK-801 binding in cerebrocortical tissue 24 h after the last chronic treatment with either of the NMDA antagonists.

Topics: 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; Animals; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Drug Tolerance; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Male; Mice; Motor Activity; N-Methylaspartate; Pyrrolidinones; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Seizures; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome

Locomotor activity, ataxia, and stereotypy were assessed in the open field after administration of NMDA and AMPA antagonists acting by different mechanisms. The interaction with glutamatergic receptors was confirmed in the binding assay. (+)MK-801 and phencyclidine (PCP) produced similar changes in horizontal activity, i.e., a strong increase from the beginning of the test. Ketamine, and to a lesser extent, memantine, enhanced horizontal activity at the later observation periods only. Amantadine and NBQX produced a slight inhibition, while GYKI-52466, d-cycloserine, (+R)-HA-966, CGP-37849, and dextromethorphan were ineffective. Vertical activity (rearings) were inhibited by most agents except GYKI-52466 and gly-B partial agonists. At higher doses ataxia was seen after: MK-801, PCP, ketamine, memantine, amantadine, CGP-37849, dextromethorphan, and GYKI-52466. Hence, the inhibition of NMDA and AMPA receptors by agents acting at different recognition sites produces qualitatively different behavioral consequences.

Topics: Amphetamine; Animals; Ataxia; Binding, Competitive; Dizocilpine Maleate; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Motor Activity; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, AMPA; Receptors, Glutamate; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Stereotyped Behavior; Synaptic Membranes

To determine the role of NMDA receptor blockade and sigma receptors in the behavioral effects of PCP during development, we assessed the behavioral effects of PCP, (+)-MK-801 and 1,3-Di(2-tolyl)guanidine (DTG) in preweanling rats. In the first experiment, rats were injected sc on postnatal day (PND) 19 with 0.5-4.5 mg/kg PCP, and locomotor activity and wall climbing behavior were scored. PCP induced high levels of locomotor activity on PND 19 in a dose dependent manner with the 2.0 mg/kg dose producing the greatest activity. In the second experiment, rats were injected on PND 12 or 19 with 1.0-4.0 mg/kg PCP or 0.1-0.4 mg/kg (+)-MK-801 and tested using the same procedures. Both PCP and (+)-MK-801 induced activity increases on PND 19 in a dose dependent manner, with 2.0 and 3.0 mg/kg PCP and 0.2 mg/kg (+)-MK-801 inducing the highest activity levels. Peak activity levels on PND 12 were approximately 30% of those observed on PND 19, with the lowest dose of PCP and (+)-MK-801 producing the greatest activity. Large amounts of wall climbing behavior were elicited by PCP on PND 12, whereas (+)-MK-801 induced only minor amounts of wall climbing. In the third experiment, the effects of 0, 1, 3, 6, or 12 mg/kg DTG were examined in PND 13-14 and 16-17 rats. DTG had little effect on locomotor activity on PND 13-14, although the highest dose did inhibit activity. On PND 16-17, all doses of DTG tended to increase locomotor activity. The results suggest (1) the robust locomotor effects of PCP on PND 19 are mediated in part by NMDA mechanisms (2) this period of increased sensitivity to both PCP and (+)-MK-801 might represent a critical period of development when systems mediating locomotor activity are vulnerable to neurotoxic insult (3) NMDA blockade alone does not mediate PCP-induced wall climbing behavior and (4) that at the doses of DTG and the ages tested, sigma receptors do not play a role in the locomotor-inducing effects of PCP.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Suckling; Anticonvulsants; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Guanidines; Male; Motor Activity; Phencyclidine; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Receptors, sigma

Anxiolytic-like and antinociceptive activities of the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine) were compared with sedative and ataxic side effects in primates. Administration of MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg) caused taming in cynomolgus monkeys and increased tail withdrawal latencies in squirrel monkeys; both effects were accompanied by sedation and ataxia. These findings are discussed in relation to the possible therapeutic uses of NMDA antagonists and differences in the behavioural effects of such compounds in primate and rodent species.

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Ataxia; Dizocilpine Maleate; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Macaca fascicularis; Male; Reaction Time; Saimiri

Administration of non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists in rodents leads to a characteristic motor syndrome which has been related to changes in monoamine metabolism in a variety of brain regions. We examined the question whether chronic MK-801 treatment in neonatal rats from postnatal day 8 through 19, which has been shown previously to alter NMDA receptor function, would also affect monoamine metabolism in striatum and frontal cortex of adult rats. Monoamines and their metabolites were determined 5 months after the treatment using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) concentration was elevated (greater than 40%) in both regions tested, while 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentration was significantly elevated only in the cortex (19%), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) only in the striatum (47%). These results demonstrate that the long-lasting effects of chronic neonatal MK-801 treatment are not restricted to glutamate transmission, but include monoamine transmission as well.

Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Ataxia; Biogenic Amines; Body Weight; Corpus Striatum; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dopamine; Frontal Lobe; Growth Disorders; Male; Motor Activity; Norepinephrine; Nutrition Disorders; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Serotonin; Synaptic Transmission

The action of MK-801 (NMDA antagonist; 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg, IP) was tested against picrotoxin-induced seizures (3-6 mg/kg, IP) in rats aged 7, 12, 18, 25, and 90 days. We found MK-801 only inconsistently affected clonic seizures in 12- and 25-day-old rats, whereas tonic-clonic seizures were suppressed or delayed in almost all age groups. In addition, the lethality of picrotoxin was diminished by the higher dose of MK-801 in all age groups. The results suggest: a) different generators for both seizure patterns (clonic and tonic-clonic), b) an involvement of NMDA receptors in the genesis of tonic-clonic seizure pattern, and c) an interaction of MK-801 with GABAergic transmission throughout the entire development studied.

Topics: Aging; Animals; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic; Male; Picrotoxin; Rats; Rats, Wistar

The akinesia induced by reserpine in mice was effectively reversed by the dopamine D1 receptor agonists SKF 38393 (5-30 mg/kg IP) and CY 208-243 (1-5 mg/kg IP), and by the mixed D1/D2 agonist pergolide (5 mg/kg SC), but less well by the D2 agonists lisuride, PHNO, LY 171555 and RU 24213 (each at 5 mg/kg SC) and not at all by the NMDA receptor antagonist MK 801 (0.1-10 mg/kg IP). MK 801 potentiated D1-dependent locomotion, but always suppressed rearing and grooming. D2-dependent locomotion was inhibited by MK 801. The D2 agonist RU 24213 was antagonised by as little as 6.25 micrograms/kg MK 801, while PHNO and LY 171555 were antagonised by 0.1 mg/kg MK 801. Lisuride was not inhibited by up to 1.6 mg/kg MK 801. Importantly, all animals showed signs of incapacitation with MK 801 in certain elements of their behaviour, most notably ataxia and hind limb abduction. Thus whilst NMDA receptor blockade can facilitate the restoration of movement by dopamine D1 (though not D2) agonists in monoamine-depleted mice, the fluency of the motor response is adversely affected.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Drug Interactions; Grooming; Male; Mice; Motor Activity; Receptors, Dopamine; Receptors, Dopamine D1; Receptors, Dopamine D2; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Reserpine

We have compared the ability of phencyclidine (PCP)-like or sigma ligands to induce psychomotor effects in primates. In squirrel monkeys, administration of MK-801 (0.001-0.1 mg/kg), PCP (0.03-0.3 mg/kg), (+)-SKF10047 (0.001-3.0 mg/kg) or (-)-SKF10047 (0.1-10 mg/kg) induced ataxia, head weaving and bradykinesia. In contrast, treatment with the selective sigma ligand (+)-pentazocine using doses up to 20 mg/kg failed to induce any overt behaviours. The order of potency for induction of these behaviours was: MK-801 greater than PCP greater than (+)-SKF10047 greater than (-)-SKF10047 much greater than (+)-pentazocine. In rhesus monkeys treatment with MK-801 (0.01-0.04 mg/kg), PCP (0.05-0.2 mg/kg), (+)-SKF10047 (0.75-3.0 mg/kg) or (+)-pentazocine (1-10 mg/kg), disrupted performance of a spatial delayed response task. The potency to induce cognitive disruption was positively correlated with affinity for [3H]MK-801, but not [3H](+)-SKF10047, binding sites in vitro. These findings indicate that the psychomotor and cognitive effects of PCP-like and sigma ligands in primates are mediated through interactions at NMDA, not sigma, receptors.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Cognition; Dizocilpine Maleate; Macaca mulatta; Male; Pentazocine; Phenazocine; Phencyclidine; Psychomotor Performance; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, sigma; Saimiri; Space Perception

Phencyclidine (PCP) has been found to affect neuroendocrine function by altering the release of the anterior pituitary hormones, adrenocorticotrophin, luteinizing hormone and prolactin. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of PCP on release of the two pituitary hormones also derived from the adrenocorticotropin precursor, namely, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and beta-endorphin (beta-E), synthesized in the neurointermediate and anterior lobes of the pituitary. At behaviorally active doses, PCP administered i.c.v. increased plasma levels of immunoreactive beta-E (i beta-E) without affecting the concentration of immunoreactive alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, suggesting that PCP increased the release of beta-E from only the anterior lobe of the pituitary. Dexamethasone pretreatment blocked the PCP-induced increase in i beta-E which indicated further the anterior lobe effects of PCP. MK-801 [(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo [a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate), a selective PCP ligand, at behaviorally active doses also increased the plasma concentration of i beta-E. The dose-response curves for induction of behavior was very different from that for increasing the concentration of i beta-E in plasma. The increase in release of i beta-E was stereoselective as (+)-(1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)-3 methylpiperidine but not (-)-(1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)-3 methylpiperidine increased release of i beta-E. The increase in plasma levels of beta-E was not due to an interaction with opioid receptors because naloxone did not block PCP-induced release of beta-E. In vitro, PCP also significantly increased release of i beta-E from anterior lobe of the pituitary.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: alpha-MSH; Animals; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; beta-Endorphin; Dexamethasone; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Male; Phencyclidine; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Pituitary Gland, Posterior; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sympathomimetics

The orally active competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists CGP 37849 (DL-[E]-2-amino-4-methyl-5-phosphono-3-pentenoic acid) and its ethyl ester CGP 39551 were evaluated in amygdala-kindled rats, a model for complex partial and secondarily generalized seizures. Anticonvulsant and behavioral effects of these novel compounds were compared with those of the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 [(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydroxy-5H-dibenzo(a,d)cyclohepten-5,10-imin e] and the antiepileptic drug carbamazepine, one of the major drugs for treatment of partial and generalized seizures in humans. For comparative evaluation, the compounds were injected i.p. at the following doses: 1 to 10 mg/kg (CGP 37849 or CGP 39551), 0.05 to 0.3 mg/kg (MK-801) and 20 to 40 mg/kg (carbamazepine), respectively. In contrast to carbamazepine, CGP 37849, CGP 39551 and MK-801 exerted only weak anticonvulsant effects in fully kindled rats and did not increase the focal seizure threshold. The weak anticonvulsant effects of the NMDA receptor antagonists in kindled rats were associated with profound untoward behavioral effects. The behavioral syndrome induced by the NMDA receptor antagonists in kindled rats was characterized by marked ataxia, hyperactivity and, in case of CGP 37849 and MK-801, stereotypies, such as head weaving. The low or absent effectiveness of the novel NMDA receptor antagonists against kindled seizures suggests that these compounds will not be clinically useful antiepileptics against partial and secondarily generalized seizures. Furthermore, in view of the recent clinical findings on psychotomimetic effects of MK-801 in epileptic patients, the similarities in the excitatory effects produced by CGP 39551, CGP 37849 and MK-801 in kindled rats may indicate that competitive NMDA receptor antagonists may also produce psychotomimetic effects in humans.

Topics: 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; Animals; Anticonvulsants; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Carbamazepine; Dizocilpine Maleate; Female; Kindling, Neurologic; Motor Activity; N-Methylaspartate; Phencyclidine; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate

The novel competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist DL-(E)-2-amino-4-methyl-5-phosphono-3-pentenoic acid (CGP 37849) was found to produce a phencyclidine (PCP)-like behavioral syndrome (ataxia, locomotion, stereotypies) in amygdala-kindled rats, whereas the amphetamine-like behavioral alterations of the syndrome (locomotion, stereotypies) were only infrequently seen in nonkindled rats. In dose-response experiments in kindled and nonkindled rats, behavioral effects were scored using a ranked intensity scale, and the behaviors and behavioural scores determined after CGP 37849 were compared with those determined after i.p. administration of the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist dizocilpine maleate (MK-801). In kindled rats, 20 mg/kg of CGP 37849 produced about the same scores for hyperlocomotion and head weaving as 0.1 mg/kg of MK-801. Kindled rats exhibited higher behavioral scores than nonkindled rats, especially in the case of CGP 37849. The behavioral effects produced by CGP 37849 in kindled rats were almost indistinguishable from the PCP-like behavioral effects induced by MK-801, indicating that CGP 37849 indeed produces a PCP-like pattern of behavior in kindled rats. Hyperlocomotion and head weaving induced by CGP 37849 in kindled rats could be attenuated or totally prevented by pretreatment with ipsapirone, a partial agonist/antagonist at postsynaptic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors of the 5-HT1A subtype. Furthermore, these behavioural effects were attenuated or blocked by the dopamine antagonist haloperidol and the alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin. The data demonstrate that kindling induces a hypersensitivity to PCP-like behavioral effects of competitive and noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists, which could relate to the recent finding of increased function of NMDA receptors following kindling.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; Animals; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Kindling, Neurologic; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; Receptors, Dopamine; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Receptors, Neurotransmitter; Receptors, Phencyclidine; Receptors, Serotonin

The effects of MK-801 at doses from 0.005 to 1 mg/kg IP on linguopharyngeal events (protrusions, retrusions and swallows) were determined in rats to find out whether MK-801 resembles ketamine in its capacity to increase the frequency of recurrence of such events that we have demonstrated in previous studies. All rats receiving a dose of 0.05 mg/kg or higher showed an increase in linguopharyngeal event frequency within 5 min and this enhancement (3-fold from baseline level) was maintained for longer than 1 h. At the lowest dose of 5 micrograms/kg the effect lasted only very briefly. A general increase in motor behavior was also observed within 10 min of drug administration. More complex patterns of motor behavior, consisting of stereotypical head bobbing, paw movements reminiscent of walking activity, nystagmus, and ataxia were observed with doses of 0.25 mg/kg and higher. All rats showed a marked startle response at early stages post-injection and hypersensitivity to external stimuli such as noise or movement in the room. However, there was an absolute lack of coordinated avoidance responses normally associated with such startle responses or arousing stimuli.

Topics: 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; Anesthesia; Animals; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Dizocilpine Maleate; Female; Motor Activity; N-Methylaspartate; Nystagmus, Physiologic; Pharynx; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Stereotaxic Techniques; Tongue

D-Serine, a selective agonist at the strychnine-insensitive glycine binding site, antagonized PCP-induction of stereotyped behavior and ataxia in a dose-dependent manner. At intraventricular doses of 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mumol/rat, D-serine significantly attenuated PCP-induction of stereotyped behavior in rats. Only doses of 0.5 and 1.0 mumol/rat of D-serine antagonized PCP-induction of ataxia. D-Serine (0.5 mumol/rat) also antagonized MK-801 induced stereotyped behavior and ataxia. These results suggest that agonists at the strychnine-insensitive glycine site may be clinically useful as a novel class of atypical antipsychotic agents.

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Dibenzocycloheptenes; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Injections, Intraventricular; Male; Phencyclidine; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Serine; Stereotyped Behavior

The effect of MK-801 on striatal dopamine (DA) release was investigated by using an in vivo microdialysis technique in the freely moving rat. Systemic injection of MK-801 (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced the extracellular level of DA significantly and produced no change in the level of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. The behavioral observation, recorded simultaneously, revealed that MK-801, with smaller doses, produced ipsilateral circling toward the side with the dialysis probe. At larger doses, MK-801 predominantly evoked ataxia. These findings indicate that the behavioral effect of MK-801 may not be mediated via the release of DA.

Topics: 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; Animals; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Corpus Striatum; Dizocilpine Maleate; Dopamine; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

The behavioral and biochemical effects of the noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, MK-801 [+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate) were compared with those of phencyclidine (PCP). In the dose range used in this study, MK-801 (0.125-0.5 mg/kg i.p.) produced ataxia and other behavioral responses which were similar to PCP (5-10 mg/kg i.p.). However, turning and backpedalling induced by MK-801 were not dose-dependent and less intense at the dose producing approximately the same level of ataxia as PCP. Neurochemically, MK-801 (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) increased dopamine turnover in the cortex and striatum, but had no effect on 5-HT systems. It was also 3.4 times less potent in inhibiting 5-HT uptake than PCP. These results suggest that the behavioral responses induced by MK-801 involve primarily the PCP receptor and the dopamine system, and that the differences from PCP reflect a reduced effect on the 5-HT neuronal system.

Topics: Animals; Anticonvulsants; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Biogenic Monoamines; Brain Chemistry; Dibenzocycloheptenes; Dizocilpine Maleate; Male; Motor Activity; Phencyclidine; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Receptors, Neurotransmitter; Serotonin; Stereotyped Behavior; Time Factors

The effects of the subchronic administration of (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]-cyclohepten-5,10-imine (MK-801) (0.5 mg/kg twice daily, 7 days) on N-methyl-D-aspartate, phencyclidine and sigma binding sites, behaviour and catecholamine turnover were investigated in the rat. Overt behaviours induced by MK-801 on day 7 were significantly altered relative to day 1 with subchronically treated rats not showing head weaving, goss ataxia or loss of hindlimb control: locomotion and sniffing were largely unaffected. The mean intensities of behaviour were 1.8 and 5.4 for days 7 and 1, respectively. Behavioural tolerance was accompanied by a significant reduction in the density of cortical N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors as measured by [3H]D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid binding, while affinity was unchanged: the density of binding sites was 3.52 and 1.88 pmol/mg protein for saline- and MK-801-treated rats, respectively. The N-methyl-D-aspartate ion channel as measured by the binding of [3H]N-(1-[2-thienyl]cyclohexyl)piperidine was not affected by the schedule of MK-801. Additionally, changes were not observed to N-methyl-D-aspartate- or glycine-stimulated [3H]N-(1-[2-thienyl]cyclohexyl)piperidine binding or to sigma binding. Catecholamine turnover was unaltered in the nucleus accumbens septi after the schedule of MK-801. Our results demonstrate that the subchronic administration of MK-801 produces behavioural tolerance and down-regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate binding sites and suggest differential regulation of the domains of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-ionophore complex.

Topics: 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; Animals; Anticonvulsants; Ataxia; Cerebral Cortex; Dibenzocycloheptenes; Dizocilpine Maleate; Drug Tolerance; Male; Nucleus Accumbens; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Receptors, Neurotransmitter; Valine