title: Minaprine, but not oxiracetam, prevents desipramine-induced impairment of avoidance learning in mice.
abstract: The tricyclic antidepressant desipramine impaired shuttle-box avoidance acquisition in mice of the CD-1 strain. The nootropic drug oxiracetam was unable to prevent the desipramine-induced learning impairment, while a protective action was exerted by minaprine, a psychotropic agent regarded as an atypical antidepressant drug, possessing dopaminergic and related memory-enhancing properties. It seems likely that the dopaminergic action of minaprine played a determinant role in its avoidance improving effects in desipramine treated mice, because similar effects were produced by amphetamine. However, in contrast to amphetamine, minaprine did not enhance locomotor activity and did not show signs of general behavioral stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Psicobiologia e Psicofarmacologia, CNR, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sansone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vetulani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003891:Desipramine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011759:Pyrrolidines / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D011724:Pyridazines; D011759:Pyrrolidines; C006149:minaprine; C040619:oxiracetam; D003891:Desipramine; D003913:Dextroamphetamine