Abstract |
The effects of cholinergic drugs proposed for treatment of cognitive impairment in normal aging and dementia on divided attention have been little studied in non-human primates. We tested the hypothesis that cholinergic drugs improve spatial divided attention in primates via a computer task requiring simultaneous tracking of two visual targets in three young and two aged healthy bonnet macaques. Task accuracy (number of correct responses) and reaction time (RT) were measured 2 h after administration of either the m1 agonist +/- -cis-2-methyl-spiro(1,3-oxathiolane-5,3')quinuclidine ( AF102B; 0.1-2.1 mg/kg IM) or the cholinesterase inhibitor 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroamino-acridine (THA; 0.5-2.0 mg/kg orally). Accuracy increased for four of five monkeys at appropriate doses of one or both cholinomimetics, accompanied in two monkeys by a drop in RT. Responses were less uniform to THA than to AF102B. For the five-monkey group at Best dose, accuracy increased 34% (THA) or 43% ( AF102B) above baseline (P<0.05 for both drugs), respectively, with no significant change in RT and with minimal untoward effects. Cholinotherapy may improve divided attention in young and aged healthy primates.
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Authors | J O'Neill, L J Fitten, D W Siembieda, K C Crawford, E Halgren, A Fisher, D Refai |
Journal | Psychopharmacology
(Psychopharmacology (Berl))
Vol. 143
Issue 2
Pg. 123-30
(Apr 1999)
ISSN: 0033-3158 [Print] Germany |
PMID | 10326774
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Cholinergic Agents
- Cholinesterase Inhibitors
- Muscarinic Agonists
- Quinuclidines
- Thiophenes
- Tacrine
- cevimeline
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Topics |
- Aging
(psychology)
- Animals
- Attention
(drug effects)
- Cholinergic Agents
(pharmacology)
- Cholinesterase Inhibitors
(pharmacology)
- Female
- Macaca radiata
- Male
- Muscarinic Agonists
(pharmacology)
- Psychomotor Performance
(drug effects)
- Quinuclidines
(pharmacology)
- Tacrine
(pharmacology)
- Thiophenes
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