Citicoline antagonizes bromazepam-induced amnesia in rats

Alvarez, X. A. ton; Vecino, B.; Perea, J. E. rique; Daniele, D.; Cacabelos, R.

Citicoline is an endogenous intermediate in the biosynthesis of brain phospholipids and acetylcholine used for the treatment of neurodegenerative processes associated with head trauma, stroke, brain aging, cerebrovascular pathology and Alzheimer's disease. In this study we have investigated the effects of citicoline on acquisition and retention in passive avoidance and spatial discriminative learning tasks in control rats and in bromazepam-treated animals. Interactions of citicoline with bromazepam on exploratory behaviour (anxiolytic/sedative activity) and motor coordination (myorelaxing activity) were also evaluated to test the specificity of the cognitive effects of citicoline. Our results indicate that citicoline reverses bromazepam-induced amnesia, improves retention in control rats, and has no significant effects on spontaneous activity and motor co-ordination when given alone or in combination with bromazepam. According to these results we conclude that citicoline acts as a promnesic and anti-amnesic drug with no sedative-myorelaxing activity in rats. Therefore, this compound might be of use for the specific treatment of cognitive impairments associated with the chronic use of benzodiazepines.

Citicoline antagonizes bromazepam-induced amnesia in rats

Alvarez, X.A.ton; Vecino, B.; Perea, J.E.rique; Daniele, D.; Cacabelos, R., 1997: Citicoline antagonizes bromazepam-induced amnesia in rats. Human Psychopharmacology. 12(6): 547-556,.-.