Behavioral and neuroendocrine effects of the partial NMDA agonist D-cycloserine in healthy subjects.
The effect of D-cycloserine, a partial agonist of the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor, were assessed in a (neuroendocrine) challenge paradigm to to examine NMDA systems in male healthy volunteers, using a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design. Oral D-cycloserine (15, 50, and 150 mg) was readily absorbed and its plasma concentration increased dose-dependently. Behavioral and hormonal responses were measured for 240 minutes after administration of the drug. D-cycloserine was well tolerated and did not induce side-effects according to the Visual Analog Scales (VAS), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Adverse Events Checklist (AEC) & codes. D-cycloserine failed to elicit a neuroendocrine response as evaluated by cortisol, prolactin, and luteinizing hormone (LH) plasma levels. The present result suggests that D-cycloserine can readily be administered to healthy volunteers but that, in the dosages used, neuroendocrine secretion fails to serve as a model for testing NMDA receptor function in humans.
van Berckel
B N
BN
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Lipsch
C
C
Timp
S
S
Gispen-de Wied
C
C
Wynne
H
H
van Ree
J M
JM
Kahn
R S
RS
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D003523:Cycloserine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000187:drug effects*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000819:agonists*
D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D003523:Cycloserine; D006854:Hydrocortisone