Abstract

The effects of mecamylamine On avoidance conditioning and maze learning have been studied in DBA inbred mice. At doses ranging from 1.2 to 5.0 mg/kg, mecamylamine strikingly impairs both the acquisition of conditioning and maze learning. The facilitation exerted by nicotine on avoidance learning is reciprocally antagonized by mecamylamine. Trimethidinium, a quaternary ganglionic blocking agent, does not affect learning processes and does not interfere with the action of nicotine. The results are discussed on the basis of the mechanisms of cholinergic transmission.