7-Nitroindazole and methylene blue, inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and NO-stimulated guanylate cyclase, block MK-801-elicited behaviors in mice

Stephen I. Deutsch, Richard B. Rosse, Steven M. Paul, Vincent Tomasino, Lee Koetzner, Cassandra B. Morn, John Mastropaolo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examined the abilities of 7-nitroindazole and methylene blue, inhibitors of the neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and nitric oxide-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity respectively, to attenuate explosive episodic jumping behavior(s) ('popping') elicited by MK-801 in mice. MK-801, like phencyclidine (PCP), is a high-affinity, noncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptor. We have postulated that MK-801-elicited popping behavior in mice represents an animal model of schizophrenia, because popping behavior is markedly inhibited/antagonized by both typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs. In the present study, popping behavior induced by MK-801 was measured using an automated detection system that quantifies vertical displacements on the testing platform. 7-Nitroindazole (100 mg/kg) and methylene blue (32 and 100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number and force of MK-801-elicited popping behavior. Mouse rotorod performance did not differ between animals receiving 7-nitroindazole, methylene blue, or their respective vehicles, suggesting that attenuation of MK-801-elicited popping behavior was not due to either sedation or ataxia caused by 7-nitroindazole or methylene blue. Our findings suggest that nitric oxide may, in part, mediate behaviors induced by NMDA receptor antagonists, like MK-801, and that inhibitors of NOS may have antipsychotic actions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)37-43
Number of pages7
JournalNeuropsychopharmacology
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1996

Keywords

  • 7-Nitroindazole
  • Antipsychotic
  • MK-801
  • Methylene blue
  • Phencyclidine
  • Popping behavior

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of '7-Nitroindazole and methylene blue, inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and NO-stimulated guanylate cyclase, block MK-801-elicited behaviors in mice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this