Separation of the Effects of Magnesium Pemoline on Avoidance Learning and Memory from Its Central Nervous System Stimulant Properties by Chlordiazepoxide

Summary

Magnesium pemoline (20 mg/kg, ip) was found to enhance the acquisition and retention of a double-T maze in male Swiss-Webster mice when administered 25 min prior to training or from 1 to 180 min posttrial. The general stimulant action of magnesium pemoline was completely abolished by pretreatment with chlordiazepoxide (15 mg/kg, sc), although the mice still showed enhanced memory of the avoidance task. These data suggest that the nonspecific arousal associated with magnesium pemoline is not responsible for the demonstrated effects upon avoidance learning and memory.