D-cycloserine, a novel cognitive enhancer, improves spatial memory in aged rats

Neurobiol Aging. 1994 Mar-Apr;15(2):207-13. doi: 10.1016/0197-4580(94)90114-7.

Abstract

D-cycloserine, a partial agonist of the NMDA receptor-associated glycine site, can enhance cognition. The present experiment examines the behavioral effects of D-cycloserine on cognitive deficits in male Fischer-344 rats, 24 months old. Rats 24 months old (n = 42) received either vehicle or one of 3 doses of D-cycloserine prior to testing. Young rats, 4 months old (n = 13), received vehicle prior to testing. Place discrimination and repeated acquisition were tested in the water maze and a variety of sensorimotor tasks were given. Aging impaired performance in all tasks. D-cycloserine improved performance in place discrimination and repeated acquisition. No doses affected sensorimotor function. These results support the hypothesis that D-cycloserine has cognition enhancing properties and that it may be useful in treating disorders involving cognitive impairment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / psychology*
  • Animals
  • Cognition / drug effects*
  • Cycloserine / pharmacology*
  • Discrimination Learning / drug effects
  • Male
  • Maze Learning / drug effects*
  • Memory / drug effects*
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344
  • Space Perception / drug effects*

Substances

  • Cycloserine