Cognitive performance of healthy young rats following chronic donepezil administration.
BACKGROUND
Experimental studies have investigated the effects of chronic donepezil treatment on the behavioral deficits elicited by reduced activity or the loss of cholinergic neurons that occurs in aging or in models of dementia. However, few studies have analyzed the effects of chronic donepezil treatment on the cognitive functions of intact animals.


OBJECTIVE
The cognitive functions of healthy young rats treated chronically with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil were evaluated using a wide behavioral test battery.


RESULTS
Chronic treatment with donepezil ameliorated memory functions and explorative strategies, speeded up the acquisition of localizing knowledge, augmented responsiveness to the context, and reduced anxiety levels. However, it did not affect spatial span, modify motivational levels, or influence associative learning.


CONCLUSIONS
The present findings show the specific profile of donepezil action on cognitive functions in the presence of unaltered cholinergic neurotransmission systems.
Cutuli
Debora
D
IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
Foti
Francesca
F
Mandolesi
Laura
L
De Bartolo
Paola
P
Gelfo
Francesca
F
Federico
Francesca
F
Petrosini
Laura
L
D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077265:Donepezil; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004924:Escape Reaction / Q000187:drug effects; D007189:Indans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009949:Orientation / Q000187:drug effects; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D012691:Serial Learning / Q000187:drug effects
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007189:Indans; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D000077265:Donepezil