[Bupropion activation of memory trace retrieval in amnesia and forgetting]

The effect of a new antidepressant bupropion on the processes of retrieval of the conditioned response of passive avoidance in mice under amnesia of different genesis and spontaneous forgetting was studied. The drug was shown to exert the antiamnesic effect and to facilitate retrieval of amnesia-affected or forgotten memory trace. The maximal effect of bupropion was observed at the dosage of 30 mg/kg. At the use of bupropion on the 2nd day after exertion of amnesic influences there was registered the tendency to prolongation of preservation of the conditioned habit enhanced retrieval as compared with greater time periods. The drug effect under memory trace retrieval impaired by cycloheximide-induced amnesia was similar in the action but more pronounced than that under "psychogenic" amnesia. The data obtained testify in favour of an active involvement of the brain dopaminergic system in the processes of memory trace retrieval.