Effect of D-serine on Anxiety-like Behavior and Spatial Learning Ability in GC Rats Selected for the Predisposition to Catatonic Reactions

Evidence of an important role of D-serine, a co-agonist of the glycine site of NMDA receptor, in pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders continues to accumulate. Possible ways of using D-serine for correcting cognitive impairments and negative symptoms in schizophrenia are widely discussed. Given the therapeutic potential of D-serine, it seems important to investigate its effect on experimental models of pathological behavior. This study was carried out on GC rats, proposed as a model of catatonic disorders, and Wistar rats, undisposed to catatonic reactions. In numerous studies, D-serine is used at fairly high doses, although it has been established that high doses of D-serine elicit adverse side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low D-serine doses on the behavior of GC rats and control Wistar rats in the light-dark box and elevated plus maze tests, as well as on their learning ability in the Barnes maze. It was found that intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg D-serine had both anxiolytic and procognitive effects on Wistar rats. In GC rats, a D-serine dose of 100 mg/kg reduced locomotor activity in the elevated plus maze test, while at 50 mg/kg, D-serine reduced locomotor activity in the Barnes maze, but did not affect escape latency.

Automated summary

Evidence continues to accumulate on the important role of D-serine in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. This study investigated the effects of low doses of D-serine on behavior and learning ability in rat models of catatonic disorders, finding anxiolytic and procognitive effects in Wistar rats and reduced locomotor activity in GC rats.