Both nicotine and mecamylamine block dizocilpine-induced explosive jumping behavior in mice: psychiatric implications.

Dizocilpine (MK-801) administration to an outbred strain of NIH Swiss mice elicits discrete episodes of explosive jumping behavior designated as "popping." This behavior may serve as a useful preclinical paradigm for the screening of potentially novel antipsychotic medications. Both nicotine and mecamylamine, a nicotinic antagonist, dose-dependently blocked dizocilpine-induced popping. The data suggest that nicotine may be of therapeutic benefit in the treatment of schizophrenia and that some of its effects may be mediated by non-nicotinic receptors.