Glutamate antagonists have different effects on spontaneous locomotor activity in rats.

Locomotor activity, ataxia, and stereotypy were assessed in the open field after administration of NMDA and AMPA antagonists acting by different mechanisms. The interaction with glutamatergic receptors was confirmed in the binding assay. (+)MK-801 and phencyclidine (PCP) produced similar changes in horizontal activity, i.e., a strong increase from the beginning of the test. Ketamine, and to a lesser extent, memantine, enhanced horizontal activity at the later observation periods only. Amantadine and NBQX produced a slight inhibition, while GYKI-52466, d-cycloserine, (+R)-HA-966, CGP-37849, and dextromethorphan were ineffective. Vertical activity (rearings) were inhibited by most agents except GYKI-52466 and gly-B partial agonists. At higher doses ataxia was seen after: MK-801, PCP, ketamine, memantine, amantadine, CGP-37849, dextromethorphan, and GYKI-52466. Hence, the inhibition of NMDA and AMPA receptors by agents acting at different recognition sites produces qualitatively different behavioral consequences.