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Memantine does not block antiaggressive effects of morphine in mice
M Rodríguez-Arias1, C Maldonado, M A Aguilar
1Area de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Abstract:
The action of the noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker memantine (5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) was evaluated during social encounters in mice. Although a dose-dependent increase in locomotion was observed, only with the highest dose did it reach statistical significance. Aggressive behavior was decreased with 20 and 40 mg/kg of memantine, social contacts being increased only with 20 mg/kg. Subsequently, the effect of these memantine doses on the antiaggressive actions of morphine (10 mg/kg) was evaluated. None of the doses affected the antiaggressive action of morphine. As memantine administration produced an antiaggressive effect only at doses that affected locomotion, it is unlikely that the glutamatergic system mediates the antiaggressive actions of morphine.
Insights
Memantine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, reduced aggression in mice at higher doses. It did not alter morphine's antiaggressive effects, suggesting the glutamatergic system is not involved in morphine's actions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is a key player in synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission.
- Memantine is a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist used clinically for Alzheimer's disease.
- Understanding the behavioral effects of NMDA receptor antagonists is crucial for neurological and psychiatric research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of memantine on social behavior, specifically aggression and locomotion, in mice.
- To determine if memantine modulates the antiaggressive effects of morphine.
- To explore the potential role of the glutamatergic system in mediating the antiaggressive actions of morphine.
Main Methods:
- Administration of varying doses of memantine (5, 10, 20, 40 mg/kg) to mice during social encounters.
- Observation and quantification of locomotion and aggressive behaviors.
- Evaluation of memantine's impact on the antiaggressive effects of morphine (10 mg/kg).
Main Results:
- Memantine caused a dose-dependent increase in locomotion, with statistical significance only at the highest dose (40 mg/kg).
- Aggressive behavior was significantly reduced by memantine at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg.
- Social contact was increased only at the 20 mg/kg memantine dose.
- Memantine did not alter the antiaggressive effects of morphine at any tested dose.
Conclusions:
- Memantine exhibits antiaggressive properties in mice, particularly at doses that also increase locomotion.
- The findings suggest that the glutamatergic system, targeted by memantine, is unlikely to mediate the antiaggressive effects of morphine.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying memantine's behavioral effects and its interaction with other neurochemical systems.