title: Effects of scallop shell extract on scopolamine-induced memory impairment and MK801-induced locomotor activity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of the organic components of scallop shells (scallop shell extract) on memory impairment and locomotor activity induced by scopolamine or 5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo (a,d) cyclohepten-5,10-imine (MK801).
  
  
  METHODS
  Effect of the scallop shell extract on memory impairment and locomotor activity was investigated using the Y-maze test, the Morris water maze test, and the open field test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Scallop shell extract significantly reduced scopolamine-induced short-term memory impairment and partially reduced scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment in the Morris water maze test. Scallop shell extract suppressed scopolamine-induced elevation of acetylcholine esterase activity in the cerebral cortex. Treatment with scallop shell extract reversed the increase in locomotor activity induced by scopolamine. Scallop shell extract also suppressed the increase in locomotor activity induced by MK801.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results provide initial evidence that scallop shell extract reduces scopolamine-induced memory impairment and suppresses MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion.
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Technology, Muroran Institute of Technology, 27-1 Mizumoto, Muroran 050-8585, Japan. Electronic address: hasegawa@mmm.muroran-it.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Technology, Muroran Institute of Technology, 27-1 Mizumoto, Muroran 050-8585, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Technology, Muroran Institute of Technology, 27-1 Mizumoto, Muroran 050-8585, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawaminami
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Technology, Muroran Institute of Technology, 27-1 Mizumoto, Muroran 050-8585, Japan.
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujita
keywords: Locomotor activity; Memory impairment; Scallop shell; Schizophrenia