Effects of selective NMDA and non-NMDA blockade in the nucleus accumbens on the plus-maze test.

Effect of blocking N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and non-NMDA-glutamatergic receptors on performance in the plus-maze was studied in male rats bilaterally cannulated into the nucleus accumbens (Acc). Rats were divided into seven groups that received either 1 microl injections of saline, (+/-)2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (AP-7, 0.2, 0.

AP-7 into the nucleus accumbens disrupts acquisition but does not affect consolidation in a passive avoidance task.

The effect of the blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA)-type glutamatergic receptors in the nucleus accumbens septi (Acc) during different phases of a passive avoidance task (step-through paradigm, two chambers) of learning was studied in male rats which had been bilaterally cannulated into the Acc. Animals were trained with a punishment procedure (3 s shock of 1 mA) to avoid one of the chambers. The rats received either saline or (+/-)2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (AP-7) solution (1 microg/1 microl) 10 min before training (pretraining schedule) or immediately after the shock (posttraining schedule).