Biomaterial Database

Effects of p-chlorophenylalanine and scopolamine on retention of habits in rats. 1990

C H Vanderwolf, and C T Dickson, and G B Baker

Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.

Rats were trained on a conventional maze test or on a swim-to-platform test. Retention of swim-to-platform performance 7 days later was severely impaired by posttraining treatment with a combination of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) and scopolamine although neither drug alone had any effect. Retention of the maze habit was moderately impaired by scopolamine alone and severely impaired by a combination of scopolamine and PCPA, but was unaffected by PCPA alone. Polygraphic recordings confirmed previous reports that a combination of PCPA and scopolamine can abolish neocortical low voltage fast activity and hippocampal rhythmical slow activity. Combined blockade of central cholinergic and serotonergic neurotransmission in rats may provide a useful animal model of Alzheimer's disease.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008568	Memory	Complex mental function having four distinct phases: (1) memorizing or learning, (2) retention, (3) recall, and (4) recognition. Clinically, it is usually subdivided into immediate, recent, and remote memory.
D010134	Fenclonine	A selective and irreversible inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase, a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of serotonin (5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE). Fenclonine acts pharmacologically to deplete endogenous levels of serotonin.	p-Chlorophenylalanine,para-Chlorophenylalanine,CP-10,188,DL-3-(4-Chlorophenyl)alanine,Fenclonin,Fenclonine (L)-Isomer,Fenclonine Hydrobromide,Fenclonine Hydrochloride,Fenclonine, (D)-Isomer,Hydrobromide, Fenclonine,Hydrochloride, Fenclonine,para Chlorophenylalanine
D012153	Retention, Psychology	The persistence to perform a learned behavior (facts or experiences) after an interval has elapsed in which there has been no performance or practice of the behavior.	Psychological Retention,Retention (Psychology),Psychology Retention,Retention, Psychological
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D001923	Brain Chemistry	Changes in the amounts of various chemicals (neurotransmitters, receptors, enzymes, and other metabolites) specific to the area of the central nervous system contained within the head. These are monitored over time, during sensory stimulation, or under different disease states.	Chemistry, Brain,Brain Chemistries,Chemistries, Brain
D004594	Electrophysiology	The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001522	Behavior, Animal	The observable response an animal makes to any situation.	Autotomy Animal,Animal Behavior,Animal Behaviors
D012601	Scopolamine	An alkaloid from SOLANACEAE, especially DATURA and SCOPOLIA. Scopolamine and its quaternary derivatives act as antimuscarinics like ATROPINE, but may have more central nervous system effects. Its many uses include an anesthetic premedication, the treatment of URINARY INCONTINENCE and MOTION SICKNESS, an antispasmodic, and a mydriatic and cycloplegic.	Hyoscine,Scopolamine Hydrobromide,Boro-Scopol,Isopto Hyoscine,Kwells,Scoburen,Scopace,Scopoderm TTS,Scopolamine Cooper,Transderm Scop,Transderm-V,Travacalm HO,Vorigeno,Boro Scopol,Transderm V