EFFECT OF ANISODINE ON BRAIN MONOAMINES

The effect of anisodine on brain monoamines was studied in 30 rats. The brain monoamine levels of caudate nucleus, hippocampus, diencephalon, brain stem and cerebral cortex were estimated by fluorimetric method in drug-treated rats and saline-treated controls. Only the NE level of brain stem was significantly increased in anisodine-treated animals 48 hours after injection. There were no significant differences in the dopamine values between anisodine-treated rats and saline-treated controls, while the 5HT and 5HIAA levels were significantly increased in anisodine-treated animals. The relation of brain monoamines to learning and memory is discussed. The increased 5HT and 5HIAA levels caused by anisodine may play a role in the impairment of memory.