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Mnemogenic effects of injecting RA-octil, a CE-inhibitor derivate, systemically or into the basal forebrain

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of systemically or intracerebrally administered RA-octil, a derivate of the angiotensin converting enzyme (CE)-inhibitor ramipril, on memory and reinforcement and to compare its effectiveness with that of the neurokinin substance P (SP). In the first experiment systemic post-trial application of RA-octil and SP in the rat enhanced habituation, a learning task which does not require motivational treatments. Unlike SP, injection of RA-octil did not have reinforcing effects as measured with a conditioned place preference task. In the second experiment, a facilitation of inhibitory avoidance learning was obtained by injection of RA-octil or SP unilaterally into the basal forebrain immediately after the learning trial. In contrast, a 5 h delayed injection of RA-octil had no effects on learning. The results demonstrate memory-enhancing effects of RA-octil after systemic application as well as after injection into the basal forebrain. Furthermore, the mnemogenic effects of SP after central and peripheral administration were confirmed. Since RA-octil, although being structurally closely related to CE-inhibitors, does not affect plasma CE, yet exhibits mnemogenic effects, it is possible that “cognition-enhancing” actions of CE-inhibitors are dissociable from their action within the renin-angiotensin system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Physiological Psychology I, University of Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, D-4000, Düsseldorf 1, Germany

    P. Gerhardt, R. U. Hasenöhrl & J. P. Huston

  2. Hoechst AG, Pharmaceutical Division, General Pharmacology Research, P.O. Box 800320, D-6230, Frankfurt a.M. 80, Germany

    F. J. Hock

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  1. P. Gerhardt
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  2. R. U. Hasenöhrl
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  3. F. J. Hock
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  4. J. P. Huston
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Gerhardt, P., Hasenöhrl, R.U., Hock, F.J. et al. Mnemogenic effects of injecting RA-octil, a CE-inhibitor derivate, systemically or into the basal forebrain. Psychopharmacology 111, 442–448 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02253534

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02253534

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