The metabotropic glutamate 2/3 receptor antagonist LY341495 differentially affects recognition memory in rats

Experimental evidence suggests that metabotropic glutamate 2/3 (mGlu2/3) receptor antagonists affect cognitive function, although contradictory findings have been reported. To clarify the role of mGlu2/3 receptor antagonists in one aspect of cognition, the present study investigated the effects of a broad range of doses of the mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist LY341495 on post-training recognition memory components (storage and/or retrieval) in rats. The efficacy of LY341495 in antagonizing the extinction of recognition memory was also investigated. The novel object recognition test was used as the memory test. The highest LY341495 doses administered (0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg) disrupted performance in this recognition memory procedure in rats at all delay conditions tested, whereas administration of lower doses (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) did not impair recognition memory. Moreover, administration of the low LY341495 doses (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) counteracted the extinction of recognition memory. The present results indicate that administration of the mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist LY341495 can either impair or enhance recognition memory in rats, depending on the dose of the compound and delay period used. Thus, together with previously reported findings, the present data suggest complex effects of this compound on cognitive function, particularly recognition memory.