The effects of exifone, a new agent for senile memory disorder, on two models of memory in the mouse.

The effects of exifone (ADLONE), hexahydro-2,3,4,3',4',5'-benzophenone, were tested in two models of memory in the mouse: habituation of exploratory activity and antagonism of amnesia induced by scopolamine in a passive avoidance task. In the first model, mice which had received exifone (128 and 256 mg/kg IP) 30 minutes before a 3 minute exposure to a staircase exploratory test showed a more marked decrease in exploratory activity in the same apparatus 24 hours later (habituation) than a control group indicating improved memory. Similar results were obtained with piracetam (512 mg/kg, IP). In the second model exifone (512 mg/kg PO), administered 60 minutes before both the learning and retention trials of a standard step-through passive avoidance, task partially antagonized the amnesia induced by 10 mg/kg scopolamine IP administered immediately after the learning trial. Similar results were obtained with piracetam (800 mg/kg PO). Taken together these results suggest that exifone facilitates memory function in simple rodent models in a manner consistent with its supposed therapeutic effects in man.