MK-801, a proposed noncompetitive antagonist of excitatory amino acid neurotransmission, produces phencyclidine-like behavioral effects in pigeons, rats and rhesus monkeys.
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics June 1, 1988 W. Koek, James H Woods, G. Winger
MK-801, a proposed NMDA antagonist, produced behavioral effects in pigeons, rats, and rhesus monkeys that closely resembled those of phencyclidine (PCP), including catalepsy, discriminative stimulus effects, locomotion, sniffing, positive reinforcing effects, and anesthesia without eye closure or respiratory depression. MK-801 was 2 to 10 times more potent than PCP depending on the species and effect measured. These findings support the hypothesis that certain PCP-like behavioral effects may result from reduced neurotransmission at NMDA-preferring receptors. The behavioral similarities suggest that clinical trials of MK-801 should evaluate PCP-like activity.