NMDA and Non-NMDA Antagonists Infused into the Nucleus Reticularis Pontis Caudalis Depress the Acoustic Startle Reflex

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-1993

Abstract

Male rats chronically implanted with bilateral cannulae aimed at the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis were tested to assess effects of γ-{d}-glutamylglycine, {d},{l}-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5), and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) on the amplitude of the acoustic startle reflex. Local infusion of each of the 3 compounds significantly reduced startle amplitude by as much as 70–80%. AP5 and CNQX attenuated startle over a dose range that indicated that the reticularis pontis caudalis may be much more sensitive to these compounds than other nuclei along the primary startle pathway. Results suggest that at the level of the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis an excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter may mediate acoustic startle and that both N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptor subtypes may be important for the expression of the acoustic startle reflex.

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Published:

Miserendino, Mindy, Davis, Michael. "NMDA and Non-NMDA Antagonists Infused into the Nucleus Reticularis Pontis Caudalis Depress the Acoustic Startle Reflex." Brain Research 623.2 (1993): 215-222.

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