LY354740, a group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist with potential antiparkinsonian properties in rats.

The aim of this study was to examine whether (+)-2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]-hexane-2,6-dicarboxylate monohydrate (LY354740), a selective agonist of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors, possesses antiparkinsonian properties. Parkinsonian-like muscle rigidity was induced by pretreatment with haloperidol (1 mg/kg i.p.). It was measured as increased resistance developed by the rat's hind leg to passive extension and flexion. LY354740 (5 and 10 mg/kg i.p.) dose-dependently diminished the haloperidol-induced muscle rigidity. The present results suggest that LY354740 counteracts the muscle rigidity in an animal model of parkinsonism.