Salbutamol overcomes the effect of the noradrenergic neurotoxin DSP-4 on memory function in the day-old chick.
These experiments investigated the effect of the relatively selective noradrenergic neurotoxin N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP-4) on memory formation in day-old chicks trained on a discriminated passive avoidance task. A time course study showed that DSP-4 treatment resulted in amnesia as early as 20 min post-learning. In a second study, a series of alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonists (noradrenaline; the alpha 1 agonist phenylephrine; the beta 1 agonist dobutamine; and the beta 2 agonist salbutamol) were applied immediately after the training trial. Both noradrenaline and salbutamol were effective in ameliorating the memory deficits caused by DSP-4 treatment, and in consolidating weakly reinforced training. These studies support the notion that noradrenaline subserves a vital role in the consolidation of memory in the chick, and that the beta 2 receptor subtypes are principally involved in the intermediate phase of memory formation.
Crowe
S F
SF
School of Psychology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.
Shaw
S
S
D058646:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D058665:Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Agonists; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000420:Albuterol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000523:psychology*; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D001596:Benzylamines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology*; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D058646:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D058665:Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Agonists; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001596:Benzylamines; D009498:Neurotoxins; C012102:DSP 4; D000420:Albuterol; D009638:Norepinephrine