DECREASE IN SHORT-TERM-MEMORY FUNCTION INDUCED BY CCK-4 IN HEALTHY-VOLUNTEERS

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of continuous intr avenous infusion of the central cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor agonist , CCK-4, on short-term memory and psychomotor performance in healthy v olunteers in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study. Compared to placebo, CCK-4 (0.5 mg/h) significantly impaired performa nce on free-recall and recognition of words in the middle of the CCK4 infusion, but did not affect psychomotor acuity. The results of this s tudy indicate that CCK-4 may exert a negative influence on memory cons olidation and retrieval. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.