title: Bivalent effects of MK-801 on ethanol-induced sensitization do not parallel its effects on ethanol-induced tolerance.
abstract: The relationship between the effects of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist MK-801 on acute responses to ethanol and its ability to block ethanol sensitization and tolerance was examined in DBA/2J mice. Cross-sensitization between these drugs was also studied. Repeated administration of 0.1 mg/kg MK-801 with ethanol potentiated, whereas 0.25 mg/kg attenuated, sensitization to ethanol's locomotor stimulant effects; rearing was similarly affected. There was evidence for cross-sensitization between ethanol and 0.25 mg/kg MK-801. MK-801 potentiated ethanol's ataxic effects in the grid test, but had no effect on tolerance to this effect. MK-801's effects on ethanol sensitization appeared to be related to its own behavioral effects, rather than NMDA receptor blockade per se. Further, these studies demonstrate dissociation between ethanol sensitization and tolerance.
authors.affiliation: Portland Alcohol Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, USA.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Tamara J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions / Q000502:physiology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004361:Drug Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate