EFFECT OF AIT-082, A PURINE ANALOG, ON WORKING-MEMORY IN NORMAL AND AGED MICE

Because working memory is the primary type of memory which is disrupte d by Alzheimer's disease and stroke and during aging, any therapeutic drug for these conditions should improve and/or restore working memory . The win-shift memory paradigm has been shown to be an excellent mode l of working memory. In the present study, we examined the effects of a novel purine derivative, ydro-6-oxo-9-purin-9-yl)-1-oxopropyl]amino] benzoic acid (AIT-082) and physostigmine (PHY) on working memory. Both AIT-082 and PHY improved memory in young mice and restored memory in mice with mild age-induced memory deficits; however only AIT-082 was a lso effective in subjects with moderate deficits. Neither drug improve d memory in mice with severe memory deficits. AIT-082 exhibited effect iveness over a broad dose range (0.5-60 mg/ kg), and the effects laste d for seven days after a single high-dose drug administration. AIT-082 was devoid of any effects on performance variables and has not shown any toxic side effects, thus making it an interesting potential treatm ent for working memory deficits associated with aging, strokes, and Al zheimer's disease.