Comparative analysis of neuroprotective activity of new chemical agent Vp and piracetam

The effect of new agent Vp (9-butylamine-3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroacridine-1(2H) hydrochloride) on lifetime of isolated mechanoreceptive crayfish neurons was evaluated by the duration of its impulse activity. Vp significantly and dose-dependently prolonged the lifetime of both spontaneously degrading neurons and neurons degrading under conditions of inhibition of various stages of the energy metabolism: glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. The effect of Vp in a concentration of 10(-7) M surpassed that of amiridine. Piracetam also prolonged the lifetime of spontaneously degrading neurons, but only in very high concentration (10(-2) M). It is concluded that Vp possesses a neuroprotective activity.