N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and amnesia in mice with depression-like state.

We studied the effect of activation (N-methyl-D-aspartic acid and D-cycloserine) and blockade (dizocilpine and 7-chlorokynurenic acid) of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors on the development of amnesia in intact and depressive mice under conditions of conditioned passive avoidance response. Agonists and antagonists of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors produce a strong antiamnesic effect in mice with behavioral despair. In intact animals, only N-methyl-D-aspartic acid and D-cycloserine improved passive avoidance performance.