A CENTRALLY ACTIVE-DRUG THAT MODULATES AMPA RECEPTOR GATED CURRENTS

Systemic administration of the drug 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylcarbonyl)-p iperidine (1-BCP) has been reported to enhance monosynaptic responses in the hippocampus in vivo and to improve spatial and olfactory memory in rats. The drug's mechanism of action was investigated in the prese nt study using membrane patches excised from cultured hippocampal slic es. The decay time of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propi onic acid (AMPA) receptor mediated inward currents was greatly increas ed by 1-BCP in a concentration dependent and reversible fashion; peak current was also enhanced but to a lesser degree. In vitro slice exper iments indicated that the drug has parallel effects on the field EPSP. It is concluded that 1-BCP is a centrally active modulator of the AMP A receptor.