Opposite effects of cholinergic agents and benzodiazepine receptor ligands in a passive avoidance task in rats.
Benzodiazepine (Bzd) agonist, diazepam (Dzp) and inverse agonist methyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta-CCM); acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, physostigmine (Physo) and muscarinic antagonist, scopolamine (Scopo), were investigated for their mnesic effect in a passive avoidance (PA) task in rats. Impairments were observed after Dzp- and/or Scopo-pretraining treatments. Physo was without effect but antagonized the Dzp-induced impairments. beta-CCM enhanced acquisition and antagonized the Scopo-induced impairing effect. All these drugs had no effect in posttraining administration.
Anglade
F
F
DGA/ETCA/CEB, Vert-le-Petit, France.
Bizot
J C
JC
Dodd
R H
RH
Baudoin
C
C
Chapouthier
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002243:Carbolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D018678:Cholinergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003292:Convulsants / Q000494:pharmacology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000494:pharmacology
D002243:Carbolines; D018678:Cholinergic Agents; D003292:Convulsants; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010830:Physostigmine; D012601:Scopolamine; C036150:beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester; D003975:Diazepam