A centrally active drug that modulates AMPA receptor gated currents

Abstract Systemic administration of the drug 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylcarbonyl)-piperidine (1-BCP) has been reported to enhance monosynaptic response in the hippocampus in vivo and to improved spatial and olfactory memory in rats. The drug's mechanism of action was investigated in the present study using membrane patches fromm cultured hippocampal slices. The decay time of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor mediated inward currents was greatly increased by 1-CBP in a concentration dependent and reversible fashion; peak current was also enhanced but to a lesser degree. In vitro slice experiments indicated that the drug has a parallel effects on the field of EPSP. It is concluded that 1-BCP is a centrally active modulator of the AMPA receptor.