The effect of vincamine, hydergine and piracetam on the firing rate of locus coeruleus neurons

The action of these psychogeriatric compounds on the activity of noradrenergic neurons in the rat locus coeruleus was investigated. All three compounds, when administered intraperitoneally, increased the firing rate of noradrenergic neurons in the chloral hydrate anaesthetized animals. Vincamine and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Neural Transmission 1982-01, Vol.55 (2), p.101-109
Main Authors: Olpe, H. -R., Steinmann, M. W.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The action of these psychogeriatric compounds on the activity of noradrenergic neurons in the rat locus coeruleus was investigated. All three compounds, when administered intraperitoneally, increased the firing rate of noradrenergic neurons in the chloral hydrate anaesthetized animals. Vincamine and hydergine had a similar potency producing a maximal mean increase of about 70% at a dose of 1 mg/kg. Likewise, piracetam was significantly less potent eliciting a 30tp 40% increase in firing at doses of 300 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively. A role for the locus coeruleus in processes related to attention, cortical and behavioral arousal, learning and memory has been proposed on the basis of behavioral and electrophysiological experiments.
ISSN:0300-9564
1435-1463
DOI:10.1007/BF01243753