Rationale: Several studies have suggested that modulation of the glutamatergic system via metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu) could be a new and efficient way to achieve antipsychotic-like activity.
Objectives: Here, we decided to investigate the possible role of the group III mGlu receptor ligands, LSP1-2111, the group III mGlu receptor orthosteric agonist, preferentially stimulating mGlu4 receptors especially in low doses, and AMN082, the mGlu7 receptor positive modulator. We used MK-801- and amphetamine-induced hyperactivity tests, as well as DOI-induced head twitches in mice as models for positive symptoms of psychosis. The C57Bl/6J mGlu7 receptor knockout mice were used to confirm that AMN082-induced effect was receptor specific. A non-selective antagonist of the group II/III mGlu receptors, LY341495, was used to block LSP1-2111-induced effects.
Results: LSP1-2111 (1, 2, and 5 mg kg(-1)) dose dependently inhibited both MK-801- and amphetamine-induced hyperactivities. Moreover, the drug antagonized DOI-induced head twitches. The effects of the drug were antagonized by LY341495 administration (1.5 mg kg(-1), i.p.). In contrast, AMN082 (3 and 6 mg kg(-1)) had no effect on amphetamine-induced hyperactivity but induced an enhancement of MK-801-induced hyperactivity and DOI-induced head twitches in mice. In C57Bl/6J mGlu7 receptor knockout animals (KO), those effects of AMN082 were not observed. Moreover, mGlu7 KO animals were less sensitive for DOI-induced effect than their wild type littermates.
Conclusions: Altogether, we propose that among group III mGlu receptors, mGlu4 receptor may be a promising target for the development of novel antipsychotic drugs.