Spatial learning and performance in the radial arm maze is impaired after N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blockade in striatal subregions.

These experiments addressed the role of striatal N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in spatial behavior in the radial arm maze. Rats treated with the NMDA antagonist D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP-5) in the nucleus accumbens core, medial caudate, and posterior caudate were all significantly impaired in acquiring the correct spatial responses. In contrast, rats infused with AP-5 in the nucleus accumbens shell showed little impairment. When rats in all groups had learned the maze and were performing at similar levels, AP-5 had relatively little effect except in the posterior caudate group, where errors and trial times were again increased. These findings demonstrate the importance of NMDA receptor-dependent activity within the accumbens and caudate in spatial learning and performance. The neural processes necessary for adaptive spatial learning in complex environments may recruit multiple cortical systems having specialized functions, which in turn are integrated in widespread striatal regions.