Decreasing nicotinic receptor activity and the spatial learning impairment caused by the NMDA glutamate antagonist dizocilpine in rats.

Nicotinic systems have been shown by a variety of studies to be involved in cognitive function. Nicotinic receptors have an inherent property to become desensitized after activation. The relative role of nicotinic receptor activation vs.

Effect of R3487/MEM3454, a novel nicotinic alpha7 receptor partial agonist and 5-HT3 antagonist on sustained attention in rats.

It is well established that nicotinic systems in the brain are critically involved in attentional processes in both animals and humans. The current study assessed the effects of a novel nicotinic alpha7 receptor partial agonist and 5-HT3 antagonist, R3487/MEM3454 (also referred to as R3487 or MEM 3454) on sustained attention in rats performing an operant visual signal detection task. The effects of R3487/MEM3454 were compared to those of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor/nicotinic alpha7 allosteric positive modulator galanthamine.

Attenuation of pharmacologically-induced attentional impairment by methylphenidate in rats.

Methylphenidate is widely used as a treatment option for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In animal models of attentional impairment, it is an important validation to determine whether this clinically effective treatment attenuates deficits. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether methylphenidate can diminish attentional impairment induced by three pharmacological agents with different mechanisms of action: scopolamine, mecamylamine, and dizocilpine.

Interaction of nicotinic and histamine H(3) systems in the radial-arm maze repeated acquisition task.

Nicotinic systems have been found in a variety of studies to play important roles in cognitive function. Nicotinic involvement in different aspects of cognitive function such as learning vs. memory may differ.

Nicotine and clozapine effects on attentional performance impaired by the NMDA antagonist dizocilpine in female rats.

Cognitive impairment is very prevalent in schizophrenia and is currently undertreated in most patients. Attentional deficit is one of the hallmark symptoms of schizophrenia. Antipsychotic drugs, which can be quite effective in combating hallucinations are often ineffective in reducing cognitive impairment and can potentiate cognitive impairment.