title: Memory enhancing effects of granisetron (BRL 43694) in a passive avoidance task.
abstract: Recent evidence suggests that serotonin plays an important role in learning and memory processes in animals. The present study examined the effect of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, granisetron (BRL 43694), on acquisition, retention and retrieval of a passive avoidance response in mice. Granisetron (1 and 10 micrograms/kg) administered 30 min before presentation of footshock increased the step-down latency when tested 24 h after footshock. The acquisition process was not affected by a dose of 100 micrograms/kg. Granisetron (10 and 100 micrograms/kg) produced a significant increase in latency to step out of the safety zone, when administered immediately after or 23.5 h after footshock. However, at 1 microgram/kg, granisetron had no effect. These results confirm the important role played by 5-HT in the process of learning and memory, and also suggest that memory enhancement may be possible with non-cholinergic treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chugh
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sankaranarayanan
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D004597:Electroshock; D017829:Granisetron; D007191:Indazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D017829:Granisetron; D007191:Indazoles; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists