Stereotyped behavior correlates better than ataxia with phencyclidine-receptor interactions

The interaction of phencyclidine, dexoxadrol, their analogs and stereoisomers with phencyclidine receptors was compared to their ability to induce stereotyped behavior and ataxia after i.c.v. administration to rats. The order of potency for binding to phencyclidine receptors revealed that among the stereoisomers of phencyclidine derivatives, the (+) isomer was more potent than the (-) isomer. A similar order of potency of phencyclidine derivatives and degree of stereoselectivity was seen in the assays for stereotyped behavior and phencyclidine receptor interactions, which resulted in a good correlation between the relative potencies for binding to phencyclidine receptors and inducing stereotyped behavior. However, the order of potency for induction of ataxia and the stereoselectivity was different than that seen in the assays for phencyclidine receptor interactions and stereotyped behavior. A comparison of relative potencies for binding to phencyclidine receptors to induction of ataxia still resulted in a good fit to a straight line, but the line did not intersect the origin, indicating that a non-phencyclidine receptor component is also involved in mediating ataxia. Dextrorphan and 2-methyl-3,3-diphenyl-3-propylamine were equipotent as phencyclidine in phencyclidine receptor and behavioral assays. The order of potency for interacting with phencyclidine receptors and inducing phencyclidine-like behavior by the isomers of cyclazocine were opposite to that of other phencyclidine analogs. Also, the order of potency for induction of ataxia by the isomers of N-allylnormetazocine was opposite to that for phencyclidine receptor interactions. Ethylketocyclazocine did not induce any stereotyped behavior or ataxia, indicating that it is unlikely that a kappa opioid receptor interaction plays a role in mediating ataxia. Furthermore, stereotyped behavior and ataxia were not due to interactions with mu, kappa or delta opioid receptors as naloxone did not antagonize the behavioral effects of phencyclidine, (-)cyclazocine or (-)N-allylnormetazocine. These results indicate that stereotyped behavior is mediated by phencyclidine receptors, whereas ataxia is mediated by more than just phencyclidine receptors.