title: Effects of an α5GABAA inverse agonist on MK-801-induced learning deficits in an incremental repeated acquisition task.
abstract: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are essential for several kinds of synaptic plasticity and play a critical role in learning and memory. Deficits in NMDAR functioning may be partially responsible for the learning and memory deficits associated with aging and numerous diseases. Administration of MK-801, a noncompetitive NMDAR antagonist, is commonly used as a preclinical model of NMDAR dysfunction. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of α5GABAA receptor inhibition on learning deficits in the incremental repeated acquisition (IRA) task induced by acute MK-801 administration. The IRA task, commonly used to examine factors that affect learning, begins with a single response and increments to progressively longer chains throughout a single session as behavior meets preset criteria. MK-801 (0.03-0.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), administered 10 min pretesting, produced a significant dose-dependent decrease in measures of IRA performance at doses greater than or equal to 0.25 mg/kg. The MK-801-induced deficit was attenuated after treatment with an α5GABAA receptor inverse agonist, L-655,708 (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). The present study provides the focus for, and supports the feasibility of, further in-depth definitive studies examining α5GABAA receptor inhibition as a suitable candidate for the attenuation of NMDAR-related deficits.
authors.affiliation: aBiomedical Sciences bBehavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology cCenter for Neuroscience dCenter for Basic and Translational Stroke Research, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Povroznik
authors.forename: Carolyn C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Rudy
authors.forename: Holly C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hunsberger
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Tosto
authors.forename: Miranda N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Reed
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D058785:GABA-A Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D058785:GABA-A Receptor Agonists; C496250:Gabra5 protein, mouse; D007093:Imidazoles; C105490:L 655,708; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate