NMDA receptor antagonists enhance 5-HT2 receptor-mediated behavior, head-twitch response, in PCPA-treated mice

Arch Pharm Res. 1999 Apr;22(2):113-8. doi: 10.1007/BF02976533.

Abstract

Previous work in our laboratory has shown that the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, AP-5, CPP, MK-801, ketamine, dextrorphan and dextromethorphan cause a pronounced enhancement of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced head-twitch response (HTR) in intact mice, suggesting the involvement of NMDA receptors in the glutamatergic modulation of serotonergic function at the postsynaptic 5-HT2 receptors. The purpose of this study was to extend our previous work on the behavioral interaction between glutamatergic and serotonergic receptors. In the present study, both competitive (AP-5 and CPP) and noncompetitive (MK-801, ketamine, dextrorphan and dextromethorphan) NMDA receptor antagonists markedly enhanced 5-HT-induced selective serotonergic behavior, HTR, in p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA)-treated mice which were devoid of any involvement of indirect serotonergic function, to establish the involvement of the NMDA receptor in 5-HT-induced HTR at the postsynaptic 5-HT2 receptors. In addition, the enhancement of 5-HT-induced HTR was inhibited by a dopamine agonist, apomorphine, NMDA receptor antagonist, NMDA and a serotonin 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, cyproheptadine, in PCPA-treated mice. Therefore, the present results support our previous conclusion that the NMDA receptors play an important role in the glutamatergic modulation of serotonergic function at the postsynaptic 5-HT2 receptors.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Fenclonine / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Serotonin / physiology*
  • Serotonin / pharmacology
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Serotonin
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase
  • Fenclonine