A comparison of cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of quinuclidinyl benzilate-induced behavioural deficit in rats performing the multiple T-maze

Cholinesterase inhibitors are beneficial in the treatment of alzheimer's disease via indirect increase of cholinergic neuro-transmission. the aim of the present study was to evaluate the potency of inhibitors tacrine,rivastigmine and donepezil to reverse cholinergic depletion induced by 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (qnb,2 mg kg-1) in wistar rats performing the multiple t-maze test. the effect of qnb on retention was compared to the effect of standard amnesic drug,scopolamine,at the dose of 0.3 mg kg-1. well-trained rats were treated intra-peritoneally with qnb,followed by another injection containing saline or tacrine (10 mg kg-1) or rivastigmine (1.2 mg kg-1) or donepezil (2.65 mg kg-1) 15 min later. rats were subjected to the t-maze task 30 min and 24 h following qnb administration. the passage time and number of errors were observed. qnb significantly impaired the performance of rats in both tested times in contrast to short-lasting effect of scopolamine (30 min only). the inhibitors rivastigmine and donepezil significantly attenuated qnb-induced behavioural impairment in the 30 min tests,whereas tacrine failed to have the same effect. moreover,the performance of tacrine-treated rats was worse due to cholinergic over-stimulation. beneficial effects of all tested inhibitors including tacrine were evident in the 24 h test. © 2014 faculty of health and social studies,university of south bohemia in ceske budejovice. published by elsevier urban & partner sp. z o.o. all rights reserved.