Effects of oral BMY 21502 on Morris water task performance in 16-18 month old F-344 rats.

In the present study we have examined the effects of oral administration of BMY 21502, a potential cognition enhancing drug, on the impaired Morris water task performance of 16-18 month old F-344 rats. BMY 21502 did not affect swim speeds or performance on the first trial of each day, but it did increase the rate of acquisition and initial retention, resulting in decreased swim distances on the second trial of each day. This increased rate of acquisition was dose-dependent, increasing to a peak at 5.0 mg/kg; the effect was decreased at 10 mg/kg, but still above control values. These results suggest that BMY 21502 is orally active over a broad range of doses, and lend further support for its potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of dementia.