Reinforced alternation performance is impaired by muscarinic but not by nicotinic receptor blockade in rats.
In pre-trained rats, food-rewarded reinforced alternation in a T-maze was markedly impaired by scopolamine, but unaffected by the centrally-active nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine (0.2-6.3 mg/kg s.c.). The nicotinic antagonist chlorisondamine (10 micrograms i.v.t.) was also ineffective, despite demonstrated blockade of nicotine-induced locomotor depression. These results question the extent to which central nicotinic receptors are involved in memory function.
Clarke
P B
PB
Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Fibiger
H C
HC
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000502:physiology*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000502:physiology*
D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic