Repetitive dextromethorphan at adolescence affects water maze learning in female rats

Int J Neurosci. 2006 Feb;116(2):91-101. doi: 10.1080/00207450500341415.

Abstract

Effects of repetitive dextromethorphan at adolescence on a spatial learning of rats were investigated. Rats received 10 daily injections of dextromethorphan (40 mg/kg) from postnatal day 28 thru 37, and were then subjected to the Morris water maze task from day 38. Significant impairments were found in the probe trial and the reversal training of the maze learning in the female rats, but not in males, treated with dextromethorphan. This result suggests that repetitive dextromethorphan, that is, abuse of dextromethorphan, at adolescence may induce deficits in the hippocampus-based memory function, perhaps more obviously in females.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Dextromethorphan / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Male
  • Maze Learning / drug effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Reversal Learning / drug effects*
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Dextromethorphan