title: L-beta-methylamino-alanine-induced behavioral changes in rats.
abstract: L-beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (L-BMAA, 500 micrograms) infusions into the lateral ventricle induced splay, clonic convulsions, and rigidity in about 60% of rats. Electroencephalograph (EEG) recording during clonic convulsions and rigidity demonstrated epileptiform discharges. Duration and severity of L-BMAA-induced clonic convulsions were reduced significantly by DNQX, a non-NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist, but not by AP-5, a NMDA receptor antagonist or MK-801, a noncompetitive NMDA antagonist. Latency of L-BMAA-induced clonic convulsions was significantly prolonged by DNQX, AP-5 and MK-801. L-BMAA-induced splay was not modified by DNQX or AP-5 but was slightly enhanced by MK-801. L-BMAA-induced rigidity was abolished by MK-801 and partially inhibited by DNQX and AP-5. The L-BMAA-induced behaviors of grooming, facial tremor, etc. were affected by DNQX, AP-5, and MK-801. Our results suggest that L-BMAA may induce behavioral changes by acting upon several subtypes of excitatory amino acid receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Neurology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield 62794-9230.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsuoka
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rakonczay
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giacobini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Naritoku
mesh_terms: D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017459:Receptors, Amino Acid / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D011810:Quinoxalines; D017459:Receptors, Amino Acid; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; C001824:beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine; C056723:FG 9041; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate