Antiamnesic activity of the nicotinic agonist DBO‐83 in mice

The effect of administration of DBO‐83 on memory processes was evaluated in the mouse passive avoidance test. DBO‐83 (1–5 mgkg–1 ip) prevented amnesia induced by scopolamine (1.5 mgkg–1 ip), mecamylamine (20 mgkg–1 ip) and dihydro‐β‐erythroidine (10 μg per mouse i.c.v.). In the same experimental conditions, DBO‐83 (10 mgkg–1 ip) also prevented baclofen (2 mgkg–1 ip), clonidine (0.125 mgkg–1 ip) and diphenhydramine (20 mgkg–1 ip) amnesia in mice. The antiamnesic effect of DBO‐83 was comparable to that exerted by nicotine (2 mgkg–1 ip), physostigmine (0.2 mgkg–1 ip), and the nootropic drug, piracetam (30 mgkg–1 ip). In the antiamnesic dose‐range, DBO‐83 did not impair mouse motor coordination and spontaneous motility, as revealed, respectively, by the Animex apparatus and rotarod test. These results demonstrated the ability of DBO‐83 to modulate memory functions and suggest that DBO‐83 could be useful in the treatment of cognitive deficits. Drug Dev. Res. 45:45–51, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.