Attenuating effect of bifemelane on an impairment of mealtime-associated activity rhythm in aged and MK-801-treated rats.
In the present experiment, we examined the attenuating effect of bifemelane hydrochloride (BF), 4-(o-benzyl phenoxy)-N-methylbutylamine hydrochloride, on the impairment of time perception caused by daily scheduled feeding using aged and MK-801-treated rats. When feeding was restricted to a single meal at a fixed time of day (1300-1700 h) for six successive days, young rats exhibited intense locomotor activity 1-3 h before feeding time. Intense locomotor activity was observed for 1200-1700 h even on the fasting day (day 7; mealtime-associated activity). Mealtime-associated activity was impaired in 24-mo-old rats and also in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, MK-801-treated rats. Daily injections of bifemelane at 1700 h for six successive days significantly attenuated the impairment of mealtime-associated activity on the seventh day in a dose-dependent manner in aged rats. In addition, cotreatment of MK-801 with bifemelane blocked the MK-801-induced impairment of mealtime-associated activity. The present study suggests that bifemelane has an enhancing effect on learning and memory performance, such as spatial and temporal perception.
Shibata
S
S
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Ono
M
M
Minamoto
Y
Y
Watanabe
S
S
D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013998:Time Perception / Q000187:drug effects
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; C031906:bifemelane