Prevention of ketamine-induced working memory impairments by AMPA potentiators in a nonhuman primate model of cognitive dysfunction

Working memory impairments are a core aspect of schizophrenia, yet current medicines do not address such cognitive dysfunction. We have developed a model of these working memory deficits by acutely disrupting glutamatergic synaptic transmission by administration of the N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist ketamine in the nonhuman primate. The current studies evaluated the effect of positive allosteric modulators (“potentiators”) of the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors on the working memory and behavioral effects of ketamine. AMPA receptors mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission throughout the brain and play a critical role in the activity-dependent regulation of NMDA receptors. We find that positive modulation of AMPA receptors with LY451646 (0.1–1.0 mg/kg, SC) and structurally distinct PF-4778574 (0.01 mg/kg, SC) robustly ameliorates ketamine-induced working memory impairments without altering behavioral effects of acute ketamine we consider related to positive- and negative-like symptoms. These results support AMPA receptor potentiators as a potential adjunctive treatment for cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS).