title: Anticataleptic effects of the N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist MK-801 in rats.
abstract: The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist MK-801 was administered to rats in three doses (0.08, 0.16, 0.33 mg/kg) in order to examine its effects on catalepsy that was induced by haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg). The degree of catalepsy was assessed 30 and 60 min after application of drugs by placing the rat on a horizontal bar, on a podium and on a vertical grid. Animals having received saline and haloperidol showed a higher degree of catalepsy than animals having received MK-801 and haloperidol (except for the lowest dose of MK-801). These findings may suggest a therapeutic potential of MK-801 and possibly of other NMDA antagonists in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
authors.affiliation: Biologisches Institut der Universität Stuttgart, F.R.G.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bubser
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002375:Catalepsy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006220:Haloperidol; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D006220:Haloperidol