Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 75 (4), 443-446 (1997)


Tacrine Improves Working Memory Deficit Caused by Permanent Occlusion of Bilateral Common Carotid Arteries in Rats

Yukihisa Murakami, Emiko Tanaka, Yoshiyuki Sakai, Kinzo Matsumoto, Hong-Bin Li and Hiroshi Watanabe


Department of Pharmacology, Research Institute for Wakan-Yaku (Oriental Medicines), Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-01, Japan


Abstract: Effect of tacrine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, on spatial acquisition deficit caused by permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (2VO) was examined by using the conventional 8-arm and the 4-arm baited radial maze tasks in rats. Daily administration of tacrine (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) 1 month after 2VO operation significantly improved the impaired spatial acquisition in the conventional maze task. This treatment also ameliorated the 2VO-induced working but not reference memory deficit in the 4-arm baited radial maze task. These results suggest that tacrine improvement of working memory deficit in the 2VO rats is due to stimulation of central cholinergic systems.

Keywords: Permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries, Spatial acquisition, Tacrine


Copyright© The Japanese Pharmacological Society 1997

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