Atypical antipsychotic-like effect of AMPA receptor antagonists in the rat

Systemic administration of two chemically different AMPA receptor antagonis ts, GYKI52466, 20mg/kg, and LY326325, 18mg/kg, given subcutaneously, caused a selective suppression of conditioned avoidance response in the rat with preservation of escape behavior. The number of intertrial crosses was not a ffected and no catalepsy was observed. These experimental results indicate, in principle, an antipsychotic effect of AMPA receptor antagonists with a low liability for extrapyramidal side effects and, consequently, a pharmaco logical profile consonant with atypical antipsychotic drugs.