BR-16A attenuates anterograde amnesia induced by electroconvulsive Shocks in slow-learning rats

BR-l 6A, a herbal preparation, attenuates amnestic deficits induced by electroconvulsive shocks (ECS) in rats, In a study designed to test the cognition-protecting limits of BR-l 6A, adult, male, wistar rats (n = 28) preselected for slow learning on the Hebb Williams complex maze, received 6 once-daily ECS. Before (1 week), during (6 days) and after (1 week) the ECS course, the rats received (p.o) either BR-16A (200 mg/kg/day) or vehicle alone. Post-ECS, learning was assessed over 7 days on the complex maze. Hats receiving BR-l 6A performed significantly better than controls in both speed and magnitude of learning. The present experiment hence found no floor effect for BR-16A-mediated attenuation of ECS-induced anterograde amnesia.