ABSTRACT
Rat models have been very useful in demonstrating the effects of nicotinic agonist and antagonist on memory performance. Experimental rat models have been critical in providing the behavioral characterization of nicotinic effects on memory, as well as important data concerning the anatomic loci, nicotinic receptor subtypes, and neurotransmitter interactions important for nicotinic effects on memory. A variety of studies with rats have shown that nicotine and other nicotinic agonists can improve memory performance, while nicotinic antagonists such as mecamylamine can impair it (see references
for reviews). This research provides an important bridge between studies of the biochemical studies of nicotinic receptor function and studies of potential clinical application of nicotinic therapies for memory impairment.
