Improvement of 8-arm maze performance in aged Fischer 344 rats with 3,4-diaminopyridine.

Overview

Short-term memory of a spatial task by male Fischer 344 rats at 3, 12, and 24 months of age was examined in a radial 8-arm maze. Performance by 24 month old rats was significantly poorer than that of 3 or 12 month old rats. 3,4-Diaminopyridine (1000 pmole/kg), a compound that stimulates acetylcholine release, significantly improved 8-arm maze performance by 24 month old rats. Thus, an age-related deficit in short-term memory for a spatial task can be ameliorated by a compound that stimulates acetylcholine release.