Sensorimotor gating in mice is disrupted after AM404, an anandamide reuptake and degradation inhibitor

• Published in: Psychopharmacologia 2004-09, Vol.175 (2), p.220-224
• Main Authors: FERNANDEZ-ESPEJO, Emilio, GALAN-RODRIGUEZ, Beatriz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Arachidonic Acids - antagonists & inhibitors; Arachidonic Acids - pharmacology; Bioavailability; Biological and medical sciences; Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators - antagonists & inhibitors; Dopamine; Drug dosages; Endocannabinoids; Ethanol; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Male; Medical sciences; Mice; Neuropharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychosis; Reflex, Startle - drug effects; Schizophrenia
• ISSN: 0033-3158; 1432-2072
• DOI: 10.1007/s00213-004-1851-5

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) represents a normal sensorimotor gating response that is typically impaired in schizophrenic patients. It is known that cannabinoid CB1 agonists reduce sensorimotor gating in rats, suggesting that the CB1 receptor and the cannabinoid system are involved in sensorimotor gating. The objective was to study the effects of AM404, an anandamide reuptake and degradation inhibitor, on PPI and startle response in Swiss mice. METHODS. AM404 was injected either acutely (0, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg i.p.) or chronically (5 mg/kg daily, 7 days). The PPI protocol was based on standard methodologies using acoustic stimuli (pulse 120 dB; prepulses 70 dB and 80 dB). SR141716A, a CB1 antagonist, was employed for further confirmation of the involvement of CB1 receptors. Acute AM404 (5 mg/kg) disrupted PPI (70-dB prepulse, P