Neonatal exposure to MK-801, an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist, enhances methamphetamine-induced locomotion and disrupts sensorimotor gating in pre- and postpubertal rats

Administration of non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists (e.g. phencyclidine, MK-801) has been shown to elicit behavioral abnormalities related to symptoms of schizophrenia, such as spontaneous locomotor activity and impaired sensorimotor gating, as represented by deficits of prepulse inhibition (PPI). We sought to determine whether transient blockade of NMDA receptors at the neonatal stage would produce dopamine supersensitivity around puberty, as manifested by these behavioral measures. For this purpose, we examined methamphetamine (MAP; 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced locomotor activity and PPI in pre- (postnatal day; PD 36–38) or post- (PD 64–66) puberty in rats administered MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg/day, s.c.) between PD 7 and PD 10. Neonatal MK-801 treatment augmented MAP-induced hyperlocomotion especially in the early adulthood, whereas spontaneous locomotor activity and rearing were not changed. MK-801 administration also disrupted PPI without affecting startle amplitudes around puberty. These findings suggest that transient exposure to MK-801 in the neonatal stage causes exaggerated dopamine transmission and cognitive deficits, particularly in the post-puberty stage.

Research Highlights
► Rats received MK-801 on postnatal days 7–10.
► Neonatal MK-801 administration disrupted prepulse inhibition.
► Neonatal MK-801 treatment also augmented methamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion.
► These behavioral abnormalities became overt in post puberty.
► Neonatal blockade of NMDA receptors provide an animal model of schizophrenia.