Nicotinic and NMDA Receptors Interaction in the Dorsal Hippocampus of Rats in the Elevated Plus-Maze Test of Anxiety

Nicotinic and glutamatergic receptors have role on anxiety-like behavior. But determination site of action for these receptors in the brain needs to be investigated. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the possible involvement of nicotinic and glutamatergic receptors in the dorsal hippocampus on anxiety- like behavior. The male Wistar rats were placed in a stereotaxic apparatus. Two stainless-steel cannuale were placed in the CA1 region of hippocampus. Then, anxiety-like behaviors of animals has been measured using the elevated plus-maze. Our results shown that intra-CA1 administration of MK801 (2 µg/rat) and mecamylamine (2 µg/rat) by itself, increased percentage of open arm time and open arm entries but did not alter locomotion. On the other hand, intra-CA1 co-administration of ineffective doses of mecamylamine (0.5, 1 µg/rat) with ineffective dose of MK801 (1 µg/rat) did not any significant effect on anxiety-like behavior and locomotion activity. Although both NMDA and nicotinic receptors play important role in the modulation of anxiety in the dorsal hippocampus of rats but between these receptors have no interaction on anxiety-like behavior in this site.