D-aspartate prevents corticostriatal long-term depression and attenuates schizophrenia-like symptoms induced by amphetamine and MK-801

J Neurosci. 2008 Oct 8;28(41):10404-14. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1618-08.2008.

Abstract

Since their discovery in the mammalian CNS, D-aspartate and D-serine have aroused a strong interest with regard to their role as putative neuromodulatory molecules. Whereas the functional role of D-serine as an endogenous coagonist of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) has been elucidated, the biological significance of D-aspartate in the brain is still mostly unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that nonphysiological high levels of D-aspartate (1) increased in vivo NMDAR activity, (2) attenuated prepulse inhibition deficits induced by amphetamine and MK-801 [(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]-cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrogen maleate], (3) produced striatal adaptations of glutamate synapses resembling those observed after chronic haloperidol treatment, and (4) enhanced hippocampal NMDAR-dependent memory. This evidence was obtained using two different experimental strategies that produced an abnormal increase of endogenous D-aspartate levels in the mouse: a genetic approach based on the targeted deletion of the D-aspartate oxidase gene and a pharmacological approach based on oral administration of D-aspartate. This work provides in vivo evidence of a neuromodulatory role exerted by D-aspartate on NMDAR signaling and raises the intriguing hypothesis that also this D-amino acid, like D-serine, could be used as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of schizophrenia-related symptoms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Amphetamine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / pharmacology
  • Cerebral Cortex / drug effects*
  • Corpus Striatum / drug effects*
  • D-Aspartate Oxidase / deficiency
  • D-Aspartic Acid / administration & dosage
  • D-Aspartic Acid / metabolism
  • D-Aspartic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Dizocilpine Maleate / pharmacology
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Hippocampus / physiopathology
  • Long-Term Synaptic Depression / drug effects*
  • Memory
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / drug effects
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism
  • Reflex, Startle / drug effects
  • Schizophrenia / chemically induced
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology*
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • D-Aspartic Acid
  • Dizocilpine Maleate
  • Amphetamine
  • D-Aspartate Oxidase