Effects of 5-HT₂ receptor antagonist on cycloheximide-induced amnesia in mice

A role played by serotonergic neuronal system in cycloheximide (CXM)-induced amnesia was studied in mice using a step-down passive avoidance task. CXM (30 mg/kg SC) given immediately after training caused impairment of memory. Nonselective serotonin (5-HT) antagonist methysergide and selective 5-HT₂ antagonist ritanserin significantly attenuated impairment of memory caused by CXM. 5-HT₁ antagonist (±)-pindolol had no effect on CXM-induced amnesia. The antiamnesic effect of ritanserin on CXM-induced amnesia was antagonized by 5-HT (ICV), but not by nonselective 5-HT agonist 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine and 5-HT_1A selective agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin at the dose level which did not cause the memory disruption. Scopolamine antagonized the antiamnesic effects of methysergide and ritanserin on CXM-induced amnesia. These results suggest that 5-HT₂ receptors and cholinergic neuronal system may play an important role in memory formation.