Effects of nefiracetam, DM-9384 on amnesia and decrease in choline acetyltransferase activity induced by cycloheximide.

The effects of nefiracetam, [N-(2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-(2-oxo-pyrrolidinyl)acetamide, DM-9384], a cyclic derivative of GABA, were investigated in the cycloheximide (CXM)-induced amnesia animal model using the passive avoidance task. Pre-training administration of DM-9384 attenuated the CXM-induced amnesia as indicated by prolongation of step-down latency. It protected against CXM-induced inhibition of choline acetyltransferase activity in the cerebral cortex. These results suggest that DM-9384 attenuates CXM-induced amnesia by interacting with AChergic neuronal system and enhancing protein synthesis in the brain.