Influence of potassium channel modulators on cognitive processes in mice

1 The e ect of i.c.v. administration of di erent potassium channel openers (minoxidil, pinacidil, cromakalim) and potassium channel blockers (tetraethylammonium, apamin, charybdotoxin, gliquidone, glibenclamide) on memory processes was evaluated in the mouse passive avoidance test. 2 The administration of minoxidil (10 mg per mouse i.c.v.), pinacidil (5 ± 25 mg per mouse i.c.v.) and cromakalim (10 ± 25 mg per mouse i.c.v.) immediately after the training session produced an amnesic e ect. 3 Tetraethylammonium (TEA; 1 ± 5 mg per mouse i.c.v.), apamin (10 ng per mouse i.c.v.), charybdotoxin (1 mg per mouse i.c.v.), gliquidone (3 mg per mouse i.c.v.) and glibenclamide (1 mg per mouse i.c.v.), administered 20 min before the training session, prevented the potassium channel opener- induced amnesia. 4 At the highest e ective doses, none of the drugs impaired motor coordination, as revealed by the rota rod test, or modi®ed spontaneous motility and inspection activity, as revealed by the hole board test. 5 These results suggest that the modulation of potassium channels plays an important role in the regulation of memory processes. On this basis, the potassium channel blockers could be useful in the treatment of cognitive de®cits.