Effects of oxiracetam-scopolamine combinations on shuttle-box avoidance acquisition in mice

The nootropic drug oxiracetam and the anticholinergic agent scopolamine were tested, alone or in combination, on shuttle-box avoidance acquisition and locomotor activity in mice of the CD-1 strain. Both drugs, given separately, slightly but significantly enhanced avoidance performance, but only scopolamine increased locomotor activity. Combinations of the 2 drugs, in some instances, enhanced avoidance performance more than drugs given separately, but the disinhibitory property of scopolamine makes it difficult to understand the role played by cholinergic mechanisms in these effects.