Nootropic candidates inhibit head-twitches induced by mescaline in mice.

The effects of various nootropic candidates on mescaline-induced head-twitches were studied in mice. The number of head-twitches induced by mescaline (100 mg/kg, s.c.) was significantly reduced by idebenone (32 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.), minaprine (0.32-10 mg/kg, p.o.) and nebracetam (100 mg/kg, p.o.). Cholinesterase inhibitors such as tetrahydroaminoacridine (1 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.), NIK-247 (10 and 18 mg/kg, p.o.) and physostigmine (0.32 mg/kg, i.p.) also suppressed the head-twitch response to mescaline. These results suggest that the direct or indirect cholinergic-activating effects of these drugs may be involved in inhibiting mescaline-induced head-twitches.