Inhibition by noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists of apomorphine-induced climbing behavior in mice

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptors is an important mediator of several forms of neural and behavioral plasticity. In the present study, we examined the potential role of NMDA receptors in the glutamatergic modulation of dopaminergic function at the postsynaptic dopamine receptor by determining the effects of NMDA antagonists on apomorphine-induced climbing behavior in mice. The noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists, MK-801, ketamine, dextrorphan, and dextromethorphan attenuated the apomolphine-induced climbing behavior at doses well below those that produce untoward side effects. These results suggest that the NMDA receptors play important roles in the glutamatergic modulation of dopaminergic function at the postsynaptic dopamine receptors that mediate the apomorphine-induced climbing behavior in mice.