Phenoxybenzamine antagonizes somatostatin-induced antiamnesia in rats

The effects of pretreatment with atropine, haloperidol and phenoxybenzamine on somatostatin-induced antiamnesia were investigated. Somatostatin itself blocked electroconvulsive shock (ECS)-induced amnesia. The receptor blockers per se had no influence on the ECS-induced avoidance latency. Atropine and haloperidol did not inhibit somatostatin-induced antiamnesia, whereas phenoxybenzamine blocked it completely. The results suggest that the central noradrenergic system plays an important role in the mediation of the antiamnesic action of somatostatin.