AG-4: A nicotinic agonist endowed with antiamnesic properties

The effect of the nicotinic agonist AG-4 on memory processes was evaluated in the mouse passive avoidance test. AG-4 (100 mug per mouse icy) prevented amnesia induced by scopolamine (1.5 mg kg(-1) ip), mecamylamine (20 mg kg( -1) ip), and dihydro-P-erythroidine (10 mug per mouse icy). In the same exp erimental conditions, AG-4 (100 mug per mouse icy) also prevented baclofen (2 mg kg(-1) ip), clonidine (0.125 mg kg(-1) ip), and diphenhydramine (20 m g kg(-1) ip) amnesia in mice. AG-4 exerted an antiamnesic effect comparable to that produced by nicotine (2 mg kg(-1) ip), physostigmine (0.2 mg kg(-1 ) ip), and the nootropic drug piracetam (30 mg kg(-1) ip). At the active do se, AG-4 did not impair mice motor coordination and spontaneous motility as revealed, respectively, by Rota-rod test and Animex apparatus. Present res ults evidence the antiamnesic activity of the nicotinic agonist AG-4 sugges ting a potential employment of this compound in the symptomatic treatment o f cognitive impairments. Drug Dev. Res. 51:191-196, 2000. (C) 2001 Wiley-Li ss, Inc.