Antiamnesic activity of the nicotinic agonist DBO-83 in mice

Abstract

The effect of administration of DBO-83 on memory processes was evaluated in the mouse passive avoidance test. DBO-83 (1–5 mgkg–1 ip) prevented amnesia induced by scopolamine (1.5 mgkg–1 ip), mecamylamine (20 mgkg–1 ip) and dihydro-β-erythroidine (10 μg per mouse i.c.v.). In the same experimental conditions, DBO-83 (10 mgkg–1 ip) also prevented baclofen (2 mgkg–1 ip), clonidine (0.125 mgkg–1 ip) and diphenhydramine (20 mgkg–1 ip) amnesia in mice. The antiamnesic effect of DBO-83 was comparable to that exerted by nicotine (2 mgkg–1 ip), physostigmine (0.2 mgkg–1 ip), and the nootropic drug, piracetam (30 mgkg–1 ip). In the antiamnesic dose-range, DBO-83 did not impair mouse motor coordination and spontaneous motility, as revealed, respectively, by the Animex apparatus and rotarod test. These results demonstrated the ability of DBO-83 to modulate memory functions and suggest that DBO-83 could be useful in the treatment of cognitive deficits. Drug Dev. Res. 45:45–51, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.