PMID: 7535993Sep 1, 1994Paper

Effects of nefiracetam (DM-9384), a pyrrolidone derivative, on brain monoamine systems

Archives Internationales De Pharmacodynamie Et De Thérapie
J LuthmanL Olson

Abstract

The pyrrolidone cyclic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivative nefiracetam [DM-9384; N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-(2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)acetamide] has been shown to enhance acquisition and ameliorate amnesia in different learning tasks in rodents. In the present study, the effects of nefiracetam on the brain monoamine systems were studied. Male, adult Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with nefiracetam in single doses (0, 1, 3, 10, 30 or 100 mg/kg, p.o.) and analyzed after 1 and 4 hr, or treated by daily doses (0, 1, 3, 10 or 30 mg/kg, p.o.) for 2 weeks. In general, no or only weak effects were observed on tissue monoamine levels, either following acute or 14 days treatment with nefiracetam. Acute administration of intermediate doses of nefiracetam induced minor increases in dopamine (DA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) tissue levels in the striatum, while hypothalamic 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) decreased at 1 hr. Noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT) levels increased in some regions after higher doses of nefiracetam. Increases in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were also seen at 4 hr, but only after the 3 mg/kg dose. Minor decreases of HVA and DOPAC levels were seen in some regions after treatment with various doses ...Continue Reading

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