Ou_2001_Eur.J.Pharmacol_433_151

The effect of huperzine A a reversible and selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor on reserpine or yohimbine-induced spatial working memory deficits in monkeys has been examined using the delayed response task that depends on the integrity of prefrontal cortex Reserpine 0.1 mg/kg i.m or yohimbine 0.01 mg/kg i.m led to significant impairments in the monkeys ability to perform the delayed response task Huperzine A 0.01 mg/kg i.m in reserpine-treated monkeys 0.01-0.1 mg/kg i.m in yohimbine-treated monkeys significantly improved the reserpine or yohimbine-induced memory impairments The effect of huperzine A on memory impairments exhibited an inverted U-shaped dose-response pattern Our data suggest that huperzine A may improve working memory via an adrenergic mechanism