AMANTADINE AND KETAMINE-INDUCED IMPROVEMENT OF MOTOR COORDINATION IN LURCHER MUTANT MICE

The effects of amantadine and ketamine were compared to a placebo in a coat-hanger test on lurcher mutant mice. This test measures motor coo rdination and is dependent on cerebellar functioning. Both drugs impro ved motor coordination of the cerebellar mutants in that the time take n to reach the side-bar according to a 2 paw criterion was decreased d uring the drugged condition in comparison to the non-drugged condition . This result indicates that NMDA receptor antagonists may improve mot or coordination in animals with cerebellar disease.