MK801 attenuates behavioural adaptation to chronic nicotine administration in rats

Abstract
The effect of administering MK801 (0.3 mg kg−1) during chronic nicotine (0.4 mg kg−1) treatment was studied on locomotor activity in rats. Sensitization of the locomotor activity response to nicotine was seen with chronic nicotine treatment. This sensitization was attenuated in rats that had received MK801 30 min before the daily nicotine injections during chronic treatment. These results suggest that the NMDA receptor may be involved in the adaptive processes seen with chronic nicotine administration.