Polyamines inhibit N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist-induced darting behavior in the rat prefrontal cortex

Jacqueline N. Crawley, John R. Evers, Steven M. Paul

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

The competitive NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) receptor antagonist, CPP (3(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phophonic acid), microinjected into the medial prefrontal cortex of rats, induces a unique behavioral syndrome termed 'darting', characterized by rapid leaping across an open field arena15. In addition, CPP induces generalized hyperactivity when microinjected into the medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and caudate nucleus. Polyamine modulation of the NMDA receptor was tested at the medial prefrontal cortex microinjection site in this behavioral paradigm. The polyamine spermidine, and its diamine precursor, blocked CPP-induced darting behavior, as well as CPP-induced hyperactivity, at doses which did not decrease locomotor activity when administered alone. The putative polyamine antagonists, ifenprodil and diethylenetriamine, did not prevent spermidine from inhibiting CPP-induced darting. These results suggest that polyamines, presumably by acting as positive allosteric modulators of the NMDA receptor, can inhibit the CPP-induced behavioral syndrome at the prefrontal cortex site.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6-11
Number of pages6
JournalBrain Research
Volume586
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 17 1992

Keywords

  • Allosteric neuromodulator
  • Darting behavior
  • Hyperlocomotion
  • NMDA receptor
  • Polyamine
  • Prefrontal cortex

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