EFFECTS OF 1-AZABICYCLO[3,3,0]OCTAN-5-YL)ETHYL]2-NITROANILINE FUMARATE (SK-946), A NOVEL COGNITION ACTIVATOR, ON LEARNING AND MEMORY IN RODENT MODELS

We examined the effects of 1-azabicyclo[3,3,0]octan-5-yl)ethyl]2-nitro aniline fumarate (SK-946) on cognition in various rodent models. SK-94 6 slightly suppressed spontaneous motor activity, but had no effect on scopolamine-induced motor facilitation, SK-946 ameliorated scopolamin e-, pirenzepine-, cycloheximide- and electric shock-induced passive av oidance deficits in rodents when administered before acquiring the tra ining. In an active avoidance test, SK-946 accelerated avoidance acqui sition in the later half of training without a marked increase in leve r-pressing. In more reliable models of cognitive disorders, i,e. an AF 64A intracerebroventricular infusion model using the step-through pass ive avoidance test, an aged rat model using the step-down passive avoi dance test and methylazoxymethanol (MAM)-induced microencephalic rat m odel using the Morris water maze test, SK-946 ameliorated impaired lea rning and memory. These results suggest an ability of SK-946 to enhanc e cognitive functions.