Direct comparison of cognitive facilitation by physostigmine and tetrahydroaminoacridine in two primate models

Abstract

Cognitive facilitation by physostigmine and tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA) was compared in two primate models. Disruption of spatial delayed response performance by scopolamine (0.03 mg/kg) was fully reversed by coadministration of 5 doses of physostigmine in the range 0.03-0.08 mg/kg, but by only one dose (4.0 mg/kg) of THA; partial reversal of some effects of scopolamine was observed at 1 and 3 mg/kg of THA. Visual recognition memory was enhanced following treatment with 4 doses of physostigmine in the range 0.001-0.03 mg/kg. The effect of THA across the group of animals was not significant but performance tended to improve using a dose of 0.8 mg/kg. Our findings indicate that THA does not have a superior profile to physostigmine as a cognitive enhancer in primates.