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Facilitation of cognitive functions by a specific α2-adrenoceptor antagonist, atipamezole
- Source :
- European Journal of Pharmacology. 347:29-40
- Publication Year :
- 1998
- Publisher :
- Elsevier BV, 1998.
-
Abstract
- The present experiments investigated the effects of a specific and potent α2-adrenoceptor antagonist, atipamezole (as a stimulator of the noradrenergic system) on cognitive performance in rats. Atipamezole enhanced the acquisition of a linear-arm maze test and also improved the choice accuracy of poorly performing rats in a delayed (20 min) three-choice maze test. Furthermore, atipamezole improved the achievement of a one-trial appetite-maze when injected immediately after teaching, thus having an effect on consolidation. Atipamezole clearly impaired the acquisition of the active avoidance test. The present results indicate that stimulation of noradrenergic system by atipamezole improves the performance of animals in tasks assessing relational learning and memory, possibly affecting attention, short-term memory and the speed of information processing. It has also an effect on a consolidation process unrelated to attentional or motivational mechanisms. In a stressful test, stimulation of noradrenaline release leads to impairment of performance.
- Subjects :
- Male
Spatial Behavior
Stimulation
Substrate Specificity
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Cognition
α2 adrenoceptor
Memory
Avoidance Learning
medicine
Animals
Effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance
Maze Learning
Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
Pharmacology
Memoria
Imidazoles
Antagonist
Atipamezole
Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists
Rats
Anesthesia
Facilitation
Psychology
Neuroscience
medicine.drug
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 00142999
- Volume :
- 347
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- European Journal of Pharmacology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....5984c5c930e12f853b3d61782e1c5018