Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Quantification of Neurovascular Protection Following Repetitive Hypoxic Preconditioning and Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Mice
Published on: May 4, 2015
Cerebral oligemic hypoxia and MK-801 treatment: effect on alternation behavior in mice
Lucyna Józwiak1, Krzysztof Lukawski, Maria Sieklucka-Dziuba
1Department of Nephrology, Medical University, Jaczewskiego 8, PL 20-090 Lublin, Poland. lucyna.jozwiak@interia.pl
Abstract:
It is known that glutamatergic system is one of neurotransmitter systems affected by a transiently reduced oxygen supply. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of MK-801, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, on spontaneous alternation in mice exposed to cerebral oligemic hypoxia. Spontaneous alternation behavior and locomotor activity were evaluated using the Y-maze task. Transient cerebral oligemia was induced by bilateral clamping of carotid arteries (BCCA) for 30 min under pentobarbital anesthesia. MK-801 was injected 48 h after BCCA or sham surgery, 30 min before the test session. Treatment with MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg ip) impaired spontaneous alternation both in sham-operated and BCCA mice. MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg ip) significantly enhanced the locomotion of mice. The effects of MK-801 were not exacerbated by BCCA. These results show that cerebral oligemic hypoxia induced by BCCA does not change alternation behavior of mice treated with MK-801.
Insights
MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist, impaired spontaneous alternation and increased locomotion in mice. Cerebral oligemic hypoxia did not worsen these effects, suggesting no interaction between hypoxia and MK-801
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
Background:
- The glutamatergic system is sensitive to reduced oxygen supply.
- NMDA receptor antagonists like MK-801 modulate neurotransmission.
- Cerebral oligemic hypoxia affects brain function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of MK-801 on spontaneous alternation in mice subjected to cerebral oligemic hypoxia.
- To assess the combined effects of NMDA receptor antagonism and hypoxic insult on cognitive behavior and locomotion.
Main Methods:
- Cerebral oligemic hypoxia was induced via bilateral carotid artery clamping (BCCA) in mice.
- Mice received MK-801 (a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist) or a sham procedure.
- Spontaneous alternation behavior and locomotor activity were measured using the Y-maze task.
Main Results:
- MK-801 impaired spontaneous alternation in both sham-operated and BCCA-exposed mice.
- MK-801 significantly increased locomotor activity in all experimental groups.
- The effects of MK-801 on alternation and locomotion were not exacerbated by BCCA-induced hypoxia.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral oligemic hypoxia does not alter the behavioral effects of MK-801.
- NMDA receptor antagonism by MK-801 impacts spatial memory and locomotion independently of transient hypoxic insult.
