Behavioral effects of some diphenyl-substituted antimuscarinics: comparison with cocaine and atropine

Behavioral comparison of the oximes TMB-4, 2-PAM, and HI-6 in rats using operant conditioning

It has recently been shown that oximes can amplify the ability of cholinesterases to scavenge organophosphorus (OP) agents. Since both OP agents and oximes can disrupt performance, behavioral evaluation of bioscavenger therapies using oximes can be hindered. Therefore, we investigated the ability of three oximes, administered alone, to disrupt performance. The effects of trimedoxime bromide (TMB-4) (3.16-56.2 mg/kg), pralidoxime chloride (2-PAM) (10.0-237.1 mg/kg), and, 1-([[4-amincarbonyl)pyridino]-methoxy]-methyl)-2, 4-bis[(hydroxyimino)methyl] pyridinium dichloride monohydrate (HI-6) (10.0-237.1 mg/kg) were evaluated in rats using a variable-interval 56 (VI 56) s schedule of food reinforcement. Under control conditions, the VI 56 s schedule produced a constant rate of responding (i.e., lever-pressing). All three oximes produced dose-dependent decreases in responding, and the largest doses of TMB-4 and 2-PAM produced complete or nearly complete suppression of responding in all rats. Only the largest dose of HI-6 suppressed responding. Analysis of the dose-effect functions demonstrated that TMB-4 was substantially more potent than 2-PAM, which was slightly more potent than HI-6, for producing response suppression. These results establish doses of each oxime that will not contribute to disruption of responding, and thus, facilitate future evaluation of bioscavenger therapies against OP toxicity.

Sensitive and rapid behavioral differentiation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists

Behavioral effects of PCP-type noncompetitive antagonists of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors overlap with those of a host of other centrally acting compounds. In the present experiment, locomotor activity and performance on an inverted screen test in untrained mice were used to differentiate PCP-type non-competitive NMDA antagonists from other drug classes. These uncompetitive NMDA antagonists [PCP, dizocilpine, (-)-MK-801, TCP, (+)-SKF 10,047, dextrorphan, ketamine] produced dose-related increases in locomotor activity and the percentage of mice falling off an inverted, elevated wire mesh screen. Both effects demonstrated stereoselectivity, occurred at comparable dose levels, and were within the range of doses producing other biological effects (e.g., anticonvulsant). The potencies of these drugs for producing behavioral effects were positively correlated with affinities for PCP ([3H]MK-801) but not sigma([3H]SKF 10,047) receptors. Although muscarinic antagonists (benactyzine, atropine) produced effects in the same direction, locomotor stimulation was small and occurred at lower doses than those inducing screen failures. Competitive NMDA antagonists (LY 274614, LY 233536, CPP, NPC 12626), sigma receptor ligands (DTG, dextromethorphan), postsynaptic dopamine agonists (quinpirole, SKF 38393) and antagonists (haloperidol, SCH 39166), and some depressant compounds (morphine, diazepam) increased failures on the screen test but decreased locomotor activity. Ligands of the polyamine regulatory site of the NMDA receptor (ifenprodil, SL 82.0715-10) and the AMPA receptor antagonist NBQX decreased locomotor activity without increasing screen failures. An antagonist of the strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor (7-chlorokynurenic acid) did not affect performance on either test. Psychomotor stimulants (cocaine and methamphetamine) stimulated locomotor activity without affecting screen performance. The only false positives occurred with barbiturates (pentobarbital, phenobarbital). Nonetheless, the present procedure demonstrates excellent sensitivity and power for rapid discrimination of uncompetitive NMDA antagonists.

Pharmacotherapy of cocaine abuse: preclinical development

Preclinical models of behavioral and toxic effects of cocaine are reviewed and their potential for predicting compounds with efficacy and safety in the medical management of cocaine abuse and toxicity is assessed. Many of the existing models appear to be good predictors of the effects of compounds against specific behavioral or toxicological actions of cocaine. However, the utility of the models for prediction of the efficacy of new therapeutic entities must await clinical validation as no accepted or standard pharmacotherapy currently exists. Preclinical data generated by these models with drugs currently under clinical investigation for cocaine abuse treatment as well as with other compounds are reviewed. These compounds include buprenorphine, bromocriptine, desmethylimipramine, carbamazepine, dopaminergic agonists, antagonists and partial agonists, dopamine reuptake inhibitors, sigma ligands, serotonin antagonists, and excitatory amino acid antagonists. Preclinical information on several drug classes appears sufficiently promising to warrant further evaluation. These include dopamine agonists and partial agonists, D1 receptor antagonists, selective sigma ligands, and modulators of the N-methyl-D-aspartate subtype glutamate receptor.