Haloperidol prevents induction of the hsp70 heat shock gene in neurons injured by phencyclidine (PCP), MK801, and ketamine
Journal of Neuroscience Research December 1, 1992 F. R. Sharp, M. Butman, S. Wang et al.
The non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists PCP, MK801, and ketamine produce psychosis in humans and cause abnormal vacuoles in posterior cingulate and retrosplenial rat cortical neurons. The drugs induce hsp70 mRNA and HSP70 heat shock protein in these injured neurons at specific doses (PCP ≥5 mg/kg, MK801 ≥0.1 mg/kg, ketamine >20 mg/kg). This injury occurs in rats aged 30 days or older but not in those 0–20 days old, and is prevented by prior administration of the antipsychotic drugs haloperidol and rimcazole. The authors propose that future studies are needed to determine whether dopamine, sigma, M1, or other receptors mediate the injury.