Physostigmine reverses cognitive dysfunction caused by moderate hypoxia in adult mice.

Background: Cognitive changes associated with moderate hypoxia in rodents may result from the diminished functioning of central cholinergic neurotransmission. We designed this study to examine whether treatment with physostigmine (PHY), an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, could improve the impairment of working memory after hypoxic hypoxia.

Methods: We randomized 90 Swiss Webster, 30-35 g mice (6-8 wks) to three hypoxia groups at fraction of inspired oxygen, FiO2 = 0.