Abstract
Rationale
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by intrusive obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors. Currently, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) provide the only pharmacological monotherapy for OCD, but response rates are insufficient. Ketamine, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, was reported to have rapid, sustained therapeutic effects in OCD patients. However, the mechanisms remain unknown.
Objectives
Here, we aimed to provide a platform for investigating mechanisms underlying anti-OCD effects of ketamine treatment by assessing whether ketamine pretreatment could alleviate 5-HT1B receptor (5-HT1BR)-induced OCD-like behavior in mice.
Methods
We assessed whether acute ketamine (0, 3, 10, 30 mg/kg), administered at two pretreatment time points (30 min, 24 h), would modulate 5-HT1BR-induced OCD-like behavior in mice. Behavioral measures were perseverative hyperlocomotion in the open field and deficits in prepulse inhibition (PPI) induced by acute pharmacological 5-HT1BR challenge.
Results
Three milligrams per kilogram of ketamine reduced 5-HT1BR-induced perseverative hyperlocomotion, but not PPI deficits, 24 h postinjection. In contrast, higher doses of ketamine were either ineffective (10 mg/kg) or exacerbated (30 mg/kg) 5-HT1BR-induced perseverative hyperlocomotion 30 min postinjection. At 24 h postinjection, 30 mg/kg ketamine reduced perseverative hyperlocomotion across all groups.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that the 5-HT1BR-induced model of OCD-like behavior is sensitive to a low dose of ketamine, a potential fast-acting anti-OCD treatment, and may provide a tool for studying mechanisms underlying the rapid therapeutic effects of ketamine in OCD patients.
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Funding and disclosures
This work was supported by an IMHRO Rising Star Depression Research Award in Memory of George Largay, a NARSAD Independent Investigator Award , and R21MH115395 to SD, and training grants: T32 GM07839 and T32 DA07255 to SLT.
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Thompson, S.L., Welch, A.C., Iourinets, J. et al. Ketamine induces immediate and delayed alterations of OCD-like behavior. Psychopharmacology 237, 627–638 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05397-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05397-8