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NMDA antagonist inhibits rapid tolerance to ethanol
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Canada.
Brain Research Bulletin
|April 1, 1991
Abstract:
To test whether N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors have a role in the development of ethanol tolerance, (+)MK-801, an NMDA antagonist, and (-)MK-801, an inactive isomer, were tested in a rapid tolerance paradigm. Results showed that (+)MK-801 blocked the development of rapid tolerance to ethanol in the tilt-plane and hypothermia tests, while (-)MK-801 was ineffective. Neither drug changed the blood ethanol levels in the treated and untreated animals. These data suggest that the known role of NMDA receptors in long-term synaptic facilitation may underlie the effect of learning in the development of tolerance to the motor-impairing and hypothermic effects of ethanol.