The enhancement of contextual fear conditioning by ABT-418.

Activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) is known to modulate various forms of learning and memory, including contextual fear conditioning. Although numerous studies have shown that high-affinity beta2-containing nAChRs are necessary for the nicotine-induced enhancement of contextual fear conditioning, it is unknown whether other high-affinity nAChR agonists are capable of enhancing this learning. To examine this issue, ABT-418, a high-affinity nAChR agonist with greater selectivity for high-affinity receptors than nicotine, was administered before acquisition and/or recall of contextual fear memories. ABT-418 enhanced acquisition of contextual fear memories in a dose-dependent manner.