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ABT-418: discriminative stimulus properties and effect on ventral tegmental cell activity
J D Brioni1, D J Kim, M S Brodie
1Pharmaceutical Products Division, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL 60064-3500, USA.
Psychopharmacology
|June 1, 1995
Summary
ABT-418, a novel nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) ligand, showed less potent discriminative stimulus properties than (-)-nicotine in rats. Electrophysiological data support ABT-418
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- ABT-418 is a novel nAChR ligand with cognitive-enhancing and anxiolytic-like effects.
- It is reported to be 3- to 10-fold more potent than (-)-nicotine in rodents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the discriminative stimulus properties of ABT-418 and (-)-nicotine.
- To determine the relative potencies of ABT-418 and (-)-nicotine on VTA neurons.
Main Methods:
- Rats were trained to discriminate between (-)-nicotine and saline.
- Discriminative stimulus properties of ABT-418 were assessed in nicotine-trained rats.
- Electrophysiological recordings were performed on VTA neurons.
Main Results:
- Rats discriminated (-)-nicotine but not ABT-418 from saline.
- ABT-418 induced reduced generalization in nicotine-trained rats, blocked by mecamylamine.
- ABT-418 was 3-fold less potent than (-)-nicotine in activating VTA neurons.
Conclusions:
- ABT-418 possesses weaker discriminative stimulus properties compared to (-)-nicotine.
- Electrophysiological data align with behavioral findings, indicating lower potency of ABT-418 on VTA neurons.