Reversal of guanethidine- and diethyldithiocarbamate-induced amnesia by peripherally-administered catecholamines

The effect of peripherally-administered catecholamines on guanethidine- and diethyldithiocarbamate-induced amnesia of a PA training in mice was investigated. The amnesic effect of guanethidine could be blocked with 50 mg/kg DA, or 0.75 mg/kg NE when given either before, immediately, or 10 min after but not 90 min following PA. Epinephrine or a lower dose of DA could not attenuate the guanethidine-induced amnesia. The amnesic effect of diethyldithiocarbamate could be blocked with 50 mg/kg DA, 0.75 mg/kg NE or 0.5 mg/kg E when given either before, immediately or 10 min after but not 90 min following PA. The amnesic effects of these compounds were interpreted in terms of their peripheral antiadrenergic actions.