Reversal of learning impairment in ventral globus pallidus-lesioned rats by combination of continuous intracerebroventricular choline infusion and oral cholinergic drug administration

Abstract

The effects of separate or combined oral administration of THA (9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine hydrochloride) and NIK-247 (9-amino-2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b] quinoline monohydrate hydrochloride) and intracerebroventricular choline infusion using an osmotic minipump were investigated by observing locomotor activity, shock sensitivity, passive avoidance response and cerebral choline and acetylcholine contents in the bilateral ventral globus pallidus-lesioned rat. Evaluation of locomotor activity and shock sensitivity revealed no sensorimotor disturbances caused by combined administration. Intracerebroventricular choline infusion (100 mumol/day) and oral THA or NIK-247 administration (0.5 mg/kg) had no effect on the acquisition of the passive avoidance response, while the combination of oral THA or NIK-247 administration (0.5 mg/kg) and intracerebroventricular choline infusion (100 mumol/day) elicited good acquisition of passive avoidance learning and produced a significant increase of choline and acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex of the bilateral ventral globus pallidus-lesioned rat. These findings suggest that continuous intracerebroventricular choline infusion may intensify the ameliorating effect of THA or NIK-247 on learning disturbance.