LY354740, A GROUP-II METABOTROPIC GLUTAMATE-RECEPTOR AGONIST WITH POTENTIAL ANTIPARKINSONIAN PROPERTIES IN RATS

The aim of this study was to examine whether (+)-2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0] -hexane-2,6-dicarboxylate monohydrate (LY354740), a selective agonist of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors, possesses antiparkinsoni an properties. Parkinsonian-like muscle rigidity was induced by pretre atment with haloperidol (1 mg/kg i.p.). It was measured as increased r esistance developed by the rat's hind leg to passive extension and fle xion. LY354740 (5 and 10 mg/kg i.p.) dose-dependently diminished the h aloperidol-induced muscle rigidity. The present results suggest that L Y354740 counteracts the muscle rigidity in an animal model of parkinso nism.