EFFECTS OF CYTIDINE DIPHOSPHATE CHOLINE ON RATS WITH MEMORY DEFICITS

The effects of cytidine diphosphate choline (CDP-choline, CAS 987-78-0 ) on learning and memory in rats with memory deficits were examined us ing behavioral methods of active avoidance with punishment reinforceme nt (shuttle-box), passive avoidance with punishment reinforcement (ste p-through and step-down) and active avoidance with positive (alimentar y) reinforcement (staircase-maze). In the majority of experiments CDP- choline was applied orally at doses of 10-50 or 100 mg/kg daily for 7 days before the training session. The experiments were carried out on young-adult (aged 5 months) and old (aged 22 months) rats and on rats with a low capability for retention of learned behavior. Memory defici ts were induced by the muscarinic cholinoceptor antagonist scopolamine (in young and old rats and mice), by the alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine, hy electroconvulsive shock, and by hypoxy. Memory deficits were also induced in rats offspring of dams that had been exposed to a lcohol during pregnancy and lactation. The results suggest that CDP-ch oline acts as a memory-enhancing drug and that its effect is particula rly pronounced in animals with memory deficits.