NMDA antagonists inhibit the development of ethanol dependence in rats

The influence of non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, 1-amino-3,5-dimethyl-adamantane (memantine), and glycineB site antagonist, 7-chloro-4-hydroxy-3-(3-phenoxy)phenyl-2(1H)-quinolone (L-701,324), on the development of ethanol dependence was investigated in Wistar rats. The development of ethanol dependence was induced by intragastric administration of 20% w/v ethanol, three times a day at increasing doses. The results were quantified using withdrawal audiogenic seizures, 12 h after the last ethanol administration. Memantine (3.75 or 7.5 mg/kg) and L-701,324 (2.5 or 5 mg/kg), given before ethanol administration, prevented the development of ethanol dependence. Our results support the data that NMDA receptors are involved in the development of ethanol dependence.