Phenserine, a novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, attenuates impaired learning of rats in a 14-unit T-maze induced by blockade of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor.

The present study evaluated the interaction of the glutamatergic and acetylcholinergic systems in memory formation, with an overall emphasis on developing multi-system approaches for treating age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer' s disease. Specifically, we used a 14-unit T-maze to investigate whether phenserine (PHEN), a long-acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, could overcome a learning deficit in rats induced by the NMDA receptor antagonist, 3-(+/-) 2-carboxypiperzin-4-yl) propyl phosphonic acid (CPP). Prior to drug treatment, 3-month-old male Fischer-344 rats were trained to criterion (13 of 15 shock avoidances) in a straight runway. Twenty-four hours later, rats were given i.p. injections of saline (SAL), CPP (9 mg/kg) + SAL or CPP + PHEN (0.25, 0.5 or 0.75 mg/kg) and received 15 massed training trials in a 14-unit T-maze. CPP significantly increased the number of errors made in the maze relative to controls, and phenserine significantly reduced the number of errors made relative to rats receiving CPP only, with the lowest dose being the most effective. These results provide further support of phenserine's potent, cognitive-enhancing properties, and suggest that combined modulation of glutamatergic and acetylcholinergic systems may be of potential benefit in developing new pharmacotherapies for Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline.