ANTIAMNESIC ACTIVITY OF METOCLOPRAMIDE, CISAPRIDE AND SR-17 IN THE MOUSE PASSIVE-AVOIDANCE TEST

The effects of the administration of metoclopramide, cisapride and SR- 17 on memory processes were evaluated in the mouse passive avoidance t est. The administration of dicyclomine (0.1-3 mg kg(-1) i.p.), immedia tely after termination of the training session, produced a dose-depend ent amnesic effect. Metoclopramide (1-5 mg kg(-1) i.p.), cisapride (0. 5-2 mg kg(-1) i.p.) and SR-17 (1-10 mg kg(-1) i.p.), administered 20 m in before the training session, prevented dicyclomine-induced amnesia. In the same experimental conditions piracetam (30 mg kg(-1) i.p.), ph ysostigmine (0.2 mg kg(-1) i.p.) and CGP 35348 (100 mg kg(-1) i.p.) pr evented dicyclomine amnesia. At the highest effective doses, none of t he drugs impaired motor coordination, as revealed by the rota-rod test , nor did they modify spontaneous motility, as revealed by the Animex test. These results suggest that metoclopramide, cisapride and SR-17 p lay an important role in the modulation of memory processes. On these bases, these compounds could be useful in the treatment of cognitive d eficits. (C) 1997 The Italian Pharamacological Society.