Biomaterial Database

Characterization of the anticonflict effect of MK-801, a non-competitive NMDA antagonist. 1995

A K Söderpalm, and O Blomqvist, and J A Engel, and B Söderpalm

Department of Pharmacology, Göteborg University, Sweden.

Brain serotonergic, noradrenergic and GABAergic mechanisms are all involved in the regulation of conflict behaviour, and the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor complex may play the most central role in this context. Since facilitation of GABAergic inhibitory transmission produces anticonflict effects, it has been suggested that antagonism of excitatory inputs may serve the same cause, and, indeed, blockade of excitatory neurotransmission mediated via N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), receptors, produces anticonflict effects. In the present study, using a modified Vogel's rat conflict model, we have investigated whether the anticonflict effect of the non-competitive NMDA antagonist MK-801 can be linked to NMDA receptor blockade, and if stimulation of these receptors instead produces proconflict effects. The tentative involvement of noradrenergic, serotonergic or GABAergic effects in the MK-801-induced anticonflict effect was also studied. MK-801 produced a dose-dependent and specific anticonflict effect (maximal effect after 0.05 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, -90 min.). This anticonflict action was completely counteracted by NMDA in a dose (0.125 microgram, intracerebroventricularly) not affecting behaviour per se. The highest dose tested of NMDA alone (0.5 microgram) tended to produce a proconflict effect, but this action may be unspecific due to concomitant drug-induced motor-inhibition. Neither bicuculline and picrotoxin, antagonists at the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor complex, nor the adrenoceptor antagonists propranolol and prazosin significantly altered the MK-801-induced anticonflict effect, whereas L-5-HTP (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, after inhibition of peripheral decarboxylation with benzerazide) completely abolished the anticonflict effect of MK-801.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007276	Injections, Intraventricular	Injections into the cerebral ventricles.	Intraventricular Injections,Injection, Intraventricular,Intraventricular Injection
D008297	Male		Males
D009043	Motor Activity	Body movements of a human or an animal as a behavioral phenomenon.	Activities, Motor,Activity, Motor,Motor Activities
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001522	Behavior, Animal	The observable response an animal makes to any situation.	Autotomy Animal,Animal Behavior,Animal Behaviors
D012701	Serotonin	A biochemical messenger and regulator, synthesized from the essential amino acid L-TRYPTOPHAN. In humans it is found primarily in the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and blood platelets. Serotonin mediates several important physiological functions including neurotransmission, gastrointestinal motility, hemostasis, and cardiovascular integrity. Multiple receptor families (RECEPTORS, SEROTONIN) explain the broad physiological actions and distribution of this biochemical mediator.	5-HT,5-Hydroxytryptamine,3-(2-Aminoethyl)-1H-indol-5-ol,Enteramine,Hippophaine,Hydroxytryptamine,5 Hydroxytryptamine
D016194	Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate	A class of ionotropic glutamate receptors characterized by affinity for N-methyl-D-aspartate. NMDA receptors have an allosteric binding site for glycine which must be occupied for the channel to open efficiently and a site within the channel itself to which magnesium ions bind in a voltage-dependent manner. The positive voltage dependence of channel conductance and the high permeability of the conducting channel to calcium ions (as well as to monovalent cations) are important in excitotoxicity and neuronal plasticity.	N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor,N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors,NMDA Receptor,NMDA Receptor-Ionophore Complex,NMDA Receptors,Receptors, NMDA,N-Methylaspartate Receptors,Receptors, N-Methylaspartate,N Methyl D Aspartate Receptor,N Methyl D Aspartate Receptors,N Methylaspartate Receptors,NMDA Receptor Ionophore Complex,Receptor, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate,Receptor, NMDA,Receptors, N Methyl D Aspartate,Receptors, N Methylaspartate
D016202	N-Methylaspartate	An amino acid that, as the D-isomer, is the defining agonist for the NMDA receptor subtype of glutamate receptors (RECEPTORS, NMDA).	N-Methyl-D-aspartate,NMDA,N-Methyl-D-aspartic Acid,Acid, N-Methyl-D-aspartic,N Methyl D aspartate,N Methyl D aspartic Acid,N Methylaspartate
D016291	Dizocilpine Maleate	A potent noncompetitive antagonist of the NMDA receptor (RECEPTORS, N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE) used mainly as a research tool. The drug has been considered for the wide variety of neurodegenerative conditions or disorders in which NMDA receptors may play an important role. Its use has been primarily limited to animal and tissue experiments because of its psychotropic effects.	Dizocilpine,MK-801,MK 801,MK801