Effect of piracetam and of standardized ginseng extract on the electroconvulsive shock-induced memory disturbances in "step-down" passive avoidance.

The effects of piracetam and standardized Ginseng extract (G115) on the memory-impairing action of electroconvulsive shock were investigated in experiments on albino rats. The changes in the memory were traced using the "step-down" conditioned reflex method of passive avoidance with negative reinforcement. Piracetam, administered in a dose of 600 mg/kg i.p. for 5 days prior to the beginning of the training sessions, completely eliminated the electroshock-induced retrograde amnesia in memory tests, as well as on the 3rd and 24th hour after the end of the training session. Standardized ginseng extract, administered in a dose of 30 mg/kg orally for 10 days prior to the beginning of the training session, markedly tended to eliminate the memory-impairing effect of electroconvulsive shock. The role of the serotoninergic neurotransmitter system for the protective effects of piracetam and of standardized ginseng extract on retrograde amnesia induced by electroconvulsive shock is investigated on the basis of earlier experiments.