DPP IV inhibitor blocks mescaline-induced scratching and amphetamine-induced hyperactivity in mice
Brain Research June 1, 2005 Susan Lautar, Camilo Rojas, Barbara S. Slusher et al. 23 citations
A potent inhibitor of the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV), called AMAC, reduced psychosis-like behaviors in two animal models. In mice given mescaline, AMAC decreased scratching paroxysms by up to 68% depending on dose. In mice given amphetamine, AMAC reduced hyper-locomotion by up to 76%. A similar compound that does not inhibit DPP IV had no effect. AMAC also did not bind to 20 receptors linked to schizophrenia, including dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate receptors. These results suggest that blocking DPP IV may produce antipsychotic effects through a novel mechanism.