Study of the effects of oral administration of CDP-choline on open-field behaviour under conditions of chronic hypoxia.

48 Wistar rats were maintained over a period of 103 days while the oxygen content of the air was continuously reduced. Their behaviour in an open-field was observed at each step of oxygen deficiency (15, 12, 10, 8 and 7% O2 inspiratory). One group (24 animals) was given CDP-choline (cytidine diphosphate choline, Somazina) at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight administered by addition to the food. Behavioral reactions indicative of deterioration in vigilance were recorded under hypoxic conditions. CDP-choline showed a protective effect increasing vigilance under mild (15% O2) hypoxia, indicating the possibility of treatment of patients with cerebral syndromes secondary to hypoxia.