Effect of cholinomimetic agents on learning and memory when administered by intra cerebroventricular (ICV) and intraperitonial (ip) routes.

It has been suggested that cholinergic mechanisms are involved in learning and memory (1,4). Since cholino-mimetic drugs appear unique in their ability to alter the above parameters, this study study was undertaken to determine if there was any difference in effects on learning and memory between a directly acting drug drug, viz., pilocarpine and an indirectly acting drug, physostigmnie and also to compare the differences, if any between peripheral (ip) and central administration (icv) of these drugs. Passive avoidance tests were employed as the model of testing learning and memory.