Interaction between nootropic drugs and methamphetamine on avoidance acquisition but not on locomotor activity in mice.

Two nootropic drugs, oxiracetam and piracetam, were tested, alone or in combination with methamphetamine, on locomotor activity and shuttle-box avoidance acquisition in mice of the C57BL/6 strain. Oxiracetam (50 mg/kg/day) and piracetam (100 mg/kg/day) had no effect when given alone, but significantly increased avoidance responses when combined with methamphetamine (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg). On the contrary, the two nootropic agents did not affect locomotor stimulation induced by methamphetamine. The results suggest that nootropic drugs may interact with methamphetamine in behavioural tests in which learning and memory processes are involved.