The effects of physostigmine, tacrine and NIK-247 on scopolamine-induced impairment of a passive avoidance response were examined in rats. In addition, we investigated possible peripheral side-effects: miosis and salivation, and central side-effects: hypothermia and tremor which are mediated by cholinergic activation. Intraperitoneal injection of physostigmine reversed scopolamine-induced amnesia at a dose of 0.03 mg/kg. Antiamnesic effects of oral administration of tacrine and NIK-247 were observed at doses of 0.3 and 0.1-0.3 mg/kg, respectively. Intraperitoneal injection of physostigmine induced miosis, salivation, hypothermia and tremor at doses > or = 0.1, 0.3, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg, respectively. Oral administration of tacrine (at doses > or = 0.3 mg/kg) and NIK-247 (at doses > or = 3 mg/kg) produced miosis. Tacrine (at doses > or = 1 mg/kg) and NIK-247 (at doses > or = 3 mg/kg) produced hypersalivation. Hypothermia and tremor were observed after administration of tacrine (at doses > or = 10 mg/kg) and NIK-247 (30 mg/kg). The antiamnesic dose of physostigmine was 1/30-1/3 of doses with central or peripheral side-effects. The dose ratio of tacrine was 1/30-1; that of NIK-247 was 1/300-1/10. These results indicate that NIK-247 has higher safety and greater selectivity for cognitive functions than physostigmine or tacrine.