Abstract

Introduction: Glutamate receptors are shown to play an important role in mediation of stress effects. In the present study, the effect of intra-core part of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) memantine(a NMDA receptor antagonist) injection on the metabolic effects of acute stress in the male Wistar rats was investigated. Materials and Methods: Fifty five male Wistar rats were underwent to surgical cannulation and by lateral 23 gauge guide cannula were placed in their core part of nucleus accumbens. Seven days later, the animals received electro foot shocks for 60 min. Five min before stress session, memantine (0.1, 1 and 5 mu g/rat) was administered bilaterally into the core part of the NAcThe metabolic signs of stress including food and water intake, anorexia time, andcorticosterone level changes were measured. Results: Administration of 5 mu g/rat memantine into nucleus accumbens core resulted in increased food and water intake and decreased anorexia time, and plasma corticosterone level. Memantine in both 0.1 and 1 mu g/rat had not effects. Conclusion: These results indicated that NMDA glutamate receptor inhibition by memantine in thecore part of the nucleus accumbens could prevent metabolic responses to acutestress.