A Comparative Study on the Effects of Nicotine and GTS-21, a New Nicotinic Agonist, on the Locomotor Activity and Brain Monoamine Level

Abstract

Effects of GTS-21 [3-(2, 4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-anabaseine dihydrochloride], a selective nicotinic agonist, on locomotor activity and dopamine turnover were examined and compared to those of nicotine to test if GTS-21 exhibits side effects similar to those of nicotine. GTS-21 had no effect on locomotor activity in mice or dopamine turnover in rats. In contrast, nicotine produced a biphasic effect on locomotor activity. It also enhanced dopamine turnover rates in the striatum and cerebral cortex, suggesting the involvement of dopaminergic systems in the nicotine-induced changes in locomotor activity. GTS-21 exhibits fewer adverse effects, suggesting that it has therapeutic potential for cognitive disorders related to central cholinergic dysfunction.