• DOI:10.1007/s00213-004-2096-z
• Corpus ID: 24086632

Dopamine D3 receptor antagonists improve the learning performance in memory-impaired rats

@article{Laszy2004DopamineDR,
  title={Dopamine D3 receptor antagonists improve the learning performance in memory-impaired rats},
  author={Judit Laszy and Istv{\'a}n Laszlovszky and Istv{\'a}n Gyerty{\'a}n},
  journal={Psychopharmacology},
  year={2004},
  volume={179},
  pages={567-575}
}

• J. Laszy, I. Laszlovszky, I. Gyertyán
• Published 1 May 2005
• Biology, Psychology, Medicine
• Psychopharmacology

RationaleThe dopamine D3 receptor has been extensively studied in animal models of drug abuse and psychosis; however, less is known on its possible role in cognitive functions.ObjectivesThis study investigated the effects of different D3 antagonists and a partial agonist on spatial learning performance in a water labyrinth test.MethodsRats had to swim through a labyrinth system by making correct directional turns at three choice-points. The number of errors was recorded in three daily trials for 3 days.ResultsD3 antagonists such as the highly selective SB-277011 (24 mg/kg p.o.) and RGH-1756 (1 mg/kg p.o.), the moderately selective U-99194A (12 mg/kg s.c.) and the selective partial D3 agonist BP-897 (1 mg/kg i.p.) all significantly attenuated the learning deficit caused by FG-7142. Against scopolamine-induced amnesia, SB-277011 (24 mg/kg p.o.) was equally potent in showing protective efficacy; however, two times higher dose levels of U-99194A (24 mg/kg s.c.) and RGH-1756 (2 mg/kg p.o.) were required to attenuate the scopolamine-induced impairment. In contrast to the full antagonists, against scopolamine-induced amnesia, the partial agonist BP-897 (2 mg/kg i.p.) was inactive, even at the two times higher dose level.ConclusionsThese data suggest that dopamine D3 receptor antagonists possess cognition-enhancing activity which may be of benefit in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction associated with several psychiatric disorders.