Cognitive enhancing effects in young and old rats of pBC264, a selective CCK(B) receptor agonist.
BACKGROUND
The implication of CCK(B) receptors in cognitive processes is far from fully understood.


OBJECTIVE
The present study investigated the effect of propionyl-BC264, a selective agonist of CCK(B) receptors, in young and old rats.


METHODS
Cognitive functions were studied in a two-trial recognition memory task developed in our laboratory.


RESULTS
It was shown that propionyl-BC264 enhanced information processing in young as well as in old rats when injected (10 microg/kg; IP) immediately after the acquisition phase and before the retrieval trial but not before the acquisition trial. This cognitive enhancing effect was blocked by prior administration of L 365,260, a selective CCK(B) receptor antagonist.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of the fact that BC264 is devoid of anxiogenic effects, it could be of value in the treatment of cognitive impairments associated with both normal and pathological ageing.
D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000818:Animals; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000494:pharmacology; D002766:Cholecystokinin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D043887:Receptor, Cholecystokinin B; D011949:Receptors, Cholecystokinin / Q000819:agonists* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical