Enhancement of performance by methyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate, in learning and memory tasks.
Benzodiazepines are known to induce a profound anterograde amnesia in man. In this report, it is shown that methyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta-CCM), an inverse agonist of the benzodiazepine receptor, has the opposite effect; it enhances performance in learning and memory tasks. Three different learning models were used: habituation to a new environment and passive avoidance in mice and imprinting in chicks. The opposite effects of both beta-CCM and the benzodiazepine diazepam were blocked by administration of the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist Ro 15-1788, providing evidence that the benzodiazepine receptor is involved in these effects.
Venault
P
P
Laboratoire de Physiologie Nerveuse, C.N.R.S., Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
Chapouthier
G
G
Simiand
J
J
Dodd
R H
RH
Rossier
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D002243:Carbolines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002645:Chickens; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D007173:Imprinting, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice
D002243:Carbolines; C036150:beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester; D003975:Diazepam