Anxiolytic effect of NKP608, a NK1-receptor antagonist, in the social investigation test in gerbils

NKP608 is a potent, selective and orally active non-peptidic neurokinin-1 (NK1)-receptor antagonist for which anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects have been described in various animal models in rats. Since species differences have been reported for some NK1-receptor antagonists, NKP608 was tested here in the social investigation test in gerbils, in a species in which the NK1-receptor is close to the human receptor. NKP608 (0.01 to> or =0.3 mg/kg p.o.) increased the time investigating the partner comparable to that seen following treatment with chlordiazepoxid (7 mg/kg p.o.), thus clearly indicating that NKP608 also has a robust anxiolytic effect in the social investigation test in gerbils. Such findings are in line with previous data obtained in rats, extend them to gerbils and corroborate the potential of NKP608 (and other representatives of the class of NK1-receptor antagonists) as new therapeutic agents beneficial in psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and/or depression.