PEAQX(NVP-AAM 077) is a potent and orally active NMDA antagonist with a 15-fold preference for human NMDA receptors with the 1A/2A(IC50=270 nM), rather than 1A/2B(29,600 nM).

in vitro: PEAQX has a high binding affinity for NMDA receptors (IC50=8 nM), and a functional preference in excess of 100-fold for hNMDA 1A/2A (IC50=of 270 nM) over 1A/2B receptors (IC50=29,600 nM).
in vivo: PEAQX is practically inactive in Xenopus oocytes expressing hNMDA 1A/2B receptors, displays an ED50 value of 23 mg/kg in the MES test. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated on PN7, PN9, and PN11 with PCP (10 mg/kg), PEAQX (NR2A-preferring antagonist; 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg), or ifenprodil (selective NR2B antagonist; 1, 5, or 10 mg/kg) and sacrificed for measurement of caspase-3 activity (an index of apoptosis) or allowed to age and tested for locomotor sensitization to PCP challenge on PN28-PN35. PCP or PEAQX on PN7, PN9, and PN11 markedly elevated caspase-3 activity in the cortex; ifenprodil showed no effect. Striatal apoptosis was evident only after subchronic treatment with a high dose of PEAQX (20 mg/kg). Animals treated with PCP or PEAQX on PN7, PN9, and PN11 showed a sensitized locomotor response to PCP challenge on PN28-PN35.

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