Effects of fordine on learning and memory processes in mice

Fordine, a new reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, has been shown in our lab to improve learnig and memory and has therapeutic effect on experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis and anti-arrhythmic effect induced by epinephrine in animals. By using Y-maze, the effects of fordine on learning and memory processes in discrimination task were studied. Fordine 5-100 μg/kg ip beffore training, immediatly after training and 24 h after training caused significant decrease in the mean number of trials and increase in the active avoidance response when these parameters were measured in normal mice. Electro-brain shock （EBS） severely disrupted the animal ability of learning and memory, but administration of fordine （40ug/kg） markedly protected the animals against the behaviaral effects of EBS, without effect on directly stimulated stun. Fordine prevented the EBS-induced impairment of acquisition, consoliation and retrieval processes. The facilitatory effects of fordine were also seen after oral doses of 10-40 ug/kg. It is suggested that fordine may be a useful compound for the improvement of learning and memory deficits.