Maze learning in aged rats is enhanced by phenserine, a novel anticholinesterase.
A new generation of cholinesterase inhibitors is expected to overcome some limitations of the therapeutic use of anticholinesterases. Phenserine is a long-acting and selective inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase with a preferential brain uptake. We have assessed the effects of chronic phenserine tartrate treatment on performance of aged Fischer-344 rats in the 14-unit T-maze. Phenserine (1-3 mg kg-1, i.p.) treatment for 5 days significantly reduced the number of errors made in the Stone maze. Other performance variables were also improved. No side effects were noted across 5 days treatment at doses of 1-2 mg kg-1. Phenserine can therefore improve the performance of aged rats in this complex maze task without producing obvious side effects.
Ikari
H
H
Molecular Physiology and Genetics Section, Nathan W. Shock Laboratories, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Spangler
E L
EL
Greig
N H
NH
Pei
X F
XF
Brossi
A
A
Speer
D
D
Patel
N
N
Ingram
D K
DK
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008568:Memory; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D010830:Physostigmine; C092280:phenserine