Experiments with UCB 6215, a drug which enhances acquisition in rats: Its effects compared with those of metamphetamine
article
The behavioural effects of 2-pyrrolidone acetamide (UCB 6215) and metamphetamine were studied in rats. When injected 30 min before training, both drugs considerably enhanced acquisition in a Y-maze and an automated drinktest. Memory disruptive effects of electroconvulsive shock and pentylenetetrazole treatment after one trial passive avoidance learning were not affected by UCB 6215; Y-maze learning was not affected if UCB 6215 or metamphetamine was injected daily immediatelyafter training. When fully trained animals were injected twice daily during a period of rest, results of retention tests 24 hr after the last injection were not different in UCB 6215, metamphetamine or saline-treated animals. However, when retention tests were performed 30 min after injection, scores in the metamphetamine treated groups were much higher, whereas they were equal in UCB 6215- and saline-treated groups. Horizontal movements and rearing, which were automatically scored, were not affected by UCB 6215; metamphetamine, however, increased both. 'Flinch' thresholds, resulting from footshock, were not altered by UCB 6215 and were insignificantly elevated by metamphetamine. From these results it is concluded that UCB 6215 does not enhance acquisition by its effects on consolidation, memory decay, retrieval or by central stimulation. It seems, therefore, that UCB 6215 enhances acquisition through its effects on registration mechanisms. Although responsiveness to footshock was not affected, preliminary results suggest that the drug exerts its effects on acquisition through an action on visual registration. © 1971.
Chemicals/CAS: methamphetamine, 28297-73-6, 51-57-0, 537-46-2, 7632-10-2; pentetrazole, 54-95-5; Acetamides; Methamphetamine, 537-46-2; Pentylenetetrazole, 54-95-5; Pyrrolidinones
Chemicals/CAS: methamphetamine, 28297-73-6, 51-57-0, 537-46-2, 7632-10-2; pentetrazole, 54-95-5; Acetamides; Methamphetamine, 537-46-2; Pentylenetetrazole, 54-95-5; Pyrrolidinones
Topics
AcquisitionLearningMemoryMetamphetamineRegistrationUCB 62152 pyrrolidone derivativeAcetamide derivativeMethamphetaminePentetrazoleAnimalAnimal behaviorAvoidance behaviorComparative studyDrug effectElectric shockMaleMemoryRatRat strainAcetamidesAnimalAvoidance LearningBehavior, AnimalComparative StudyElectroshockMaleMemoryMethamphetaminePentylenetetrazolePyrrolidinonesRatsRats, Inbred Strains
TNO Identifier
227284
ISSN
00142999
Source
European Journal of Pharmacology, 16(3), pp. 283-297.
Pages
283-297
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