Influence of ifenprodil on the ACTH-induced behavioral syndrome in rats

Ifenprodil--an antagonist at the modulatory site of the NMDA receptor complex sensitive to polyamines--intraperitoneally injected at doses of 3 or 10 mg/kg, dose dependently prevented the behavioral syndrome induced by intracerebroventricular administration of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-(1-24) in adult male rats (excessive grooming, stretching, yawning, penile erections). These data further support a role of the brain ornithine decarboxylase (ODC)-polyamine system in the ACTH-induced behavioral syndrome, and may suggest an involvement of excitatory amino acids.