D-cycloserine, a modulator of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, improves spatial learning in rats treated with muscarinic antagonist.
The results of the present study indicate that D-cycloserine, a partial agonist at the glycine binding site, which is a positive modulation site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, could improve dose dependently the acquisition of a water maze task in rats treated with scopolamine, a muscarinic antagonist. The low to moderate doses of D-cycloserine which improved learning did not affect swimming speed in scopolamine-treated rats. The higher dose did not improve learning, but it increased swimming speed in scopolamine-treated rats. These results show a dissociation between impaired acquisition and abnormal behavioral activity in scopolamine-treated rats in the water maze task. Furthermore, the present results suggest that D-cycloserine can act as a cognitive enhancer at the appropriate doses.
Sirviö
J
J
Department of Neurology, University of Kuopio, Finland.
Ekonsalo
T
T
Riekkinen
P
P
Lahtinen
H
H
Riekkinen
P
P
D000647:Amnesia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D003523:Cycloserine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000187:drug effects*
D010276:Parasympatholytics; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D003523:Cycloserine; D012601:Scopolamine