Effects of MK-801, a non-competitive NMDA antagonist, on linguopharyngeal events in rats

The effects of MK-801 at doses from 0.005 to 1 mg/kg IP on linguopharyngeal events (protrusions, retrusions and swallows) were determined in rats to find out whether MK-801 resembles ketamine in its capacity to increase the frequency of recurrence of such events that we have demonstrated in previous studies. All rats receiving a dose of 0.05 mg/kg or higher showed an increase in linguopharyngeal event frequency within 5 min and this enhancement (3-fold from baseline level) was maintained for longer than 1 h. At the lowest dose of 5 micrograms/kg the effect lasted only very briefly. A general increase in motor behavior was also observed within 10 min of drug administration. More complex patterns of motor behavior, consisting of stereotypical head bobbing, paw movements reminiscent of walking activity, nystagmus, and ataxia were observed with doses of 0.25 mg/kg and higher. All rats showed a marked startle response at early stages post-injection and hypersensitivity to external stimuli such as noise or movement in the room. However, there was an absolute lack of coordinated avoidance responses normally associated with such startle responses or arousing stimuli.