Date of Award

5-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Psychology

Program

Psychological Science (MS)

First Advisor/Chairperson

Adam Prus

Abstract

Compulsive disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), are often treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs typically express many pharmacological effects through inhibiting serotonin (5-HT) transporters; however, due to delayed and inadequate treatment effects, other treatment methods should be pursued. Alternative drug treatments acting on glutamate, NMDA receptors, and sigma-1, instead of serotonin, may be effective in treating OCD. One drug in particular, dextromethorphan (DM), provides antidepressant-like effects by possibly inhibiting glutamate and activating sigma-1 receptors. Common preclinical approaches for screening experimental OCD drugs include the marble-burying test (MBT) for compulsive behavior, in addition to the assessment of neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Therefore, to test the role of DM, a sigma-1 compound, glutamate NMDA antagonist, and DM metabolite-dextrorphan were used in both MBT and a neurite outgrowth assay. Marble burying data revealed a significant decrease in marbles buried upon both high and low doses of fluvoxamine administration. High doses of DM and DXT resulted in a significant decrease in marbles buried. A significant decrease in pathlength was not observed with each compound indicating therapeutic effects. The percentage of total cells and neurites did not display significant effects. Significant reversal effects with BD-1047 were not observed in both models. Therefore, sigma-1 should be further investigated to further understand receptor function.

Access Type

Open Access

Justification for Restricting Access

I want to embargo this thesis, so I can add on to the research for future publications.

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Available for download on Tuesday, April 03, 2029

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