LY354740 attenuates the expression of long-term behavioral sensitization induced by a single session of foot shocks

Exposure of rats to a single session of foot shocks sensitizes behavioral r esponses to novel stimuli. There is evidence that metabotropic glutamate (m Glu) receptors play a role in sensitization processes. In the present study , we investigated the role of mGlu(2/3) receptors in the long-term (14 days ) increase in defensive withdrawal behavior after a single session of foot shocks. Exposure to foot shocks increased defensive withdrawal behavior. Th e mGlu(2/3) receptor agonist LY354740 ((1S,2S,5R,6S)-(+)-2-aminobicyclo[3.1 .0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, 0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) normalized the increased latency and the decreased time in the light of the preshocked rats. We conc lude that activation of mGlu(2/3) receptors attenuates the foot shock-induc ed expression of behavioral sensitization. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.