M. Lazarova et al., EFFECT OF DOTARIZINE ON ELECTROCONVULSIVE SHOCK OR PENTYLENETETRAZOL-INDUCED AMNESIA AND ON SEIZURE REACTIVITY IN RATS, Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology, 17(1), 1995, pp. 53-58
Dotarizine (DOT), a compound performing both as calcium antagonist and
as 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, was evaluated for its ability to protec
t against electroconvulsive shock (ECS)- and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-i
nduced performance deficit in a passive avoidance ''step-down'' task i
n rats. Its effect on electric and PTZ seizure models was also studied
. DOT administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg for 5 days before lear
ning had no significant effect on retention tests given 3 h, 24 h and
7 days after the training session. It should be noted, however; that D
OT completely prevented ECS- and PTZ-induced amnesia in passive avoida
nce situation. DOT had a pronounced protective effect against electric
seizures but did not affect PTZ seizures. The present results provide
additional evidence for the role of serotonergic neurotransmitter sys
tem and calcium homeostasis for memory and seizure reactivity and may
be important in the development of effective treatment strategies for
memory dysfunction.