Interaction between the mGlu receptors 5 antagonist, MPEP, and amphetamine on memory and motor functions in mice

RATIONALE: Metabotropic glutamate mGlu receptors 5 (mGluR5) receptors are abundant in corticolimbic circuitry where they modulate glutamate and dopamine signal transduction. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we explored the hypothesis that mGluR5 antagonist, (2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride) (MPEP), facilitates dopamine-dependent effects on memory and motor functions. METHODS: To this aim, we examined the effects of different doses (from 0 to 24 mg/kg) of the mGluR5 antagonist, MPEP, on the modulation of amphetamine-dependent behaviors, namely passive avoidance, locomotor activity, and rotation behavior in intact and dopamine-depleted CD1 male mice. RESULTS: We demonstrated that a low dose (3 mg/kg) of MPEP, which is void of behavioral effects on its own, facilitates amphetamine-induced effects independently on the behavior measured both in naïve and in dopamine-lesioned mice; this synergistic effect is lost when higher doses of MPEP are used. CONCLUSION: The results are discussed in terms of possible balance between dopamine and glutamate activity in regulating the proper fine tuning of information processing.