@article{ref1,
title="Divided attention-enhancing effects of AF102B and THA in aging monkeys",
journal="Psychopharmacology",
year="1999",
author="O'Neill, J. and Fitten, L. J. and Siembieda, D. W. and Crawford, K. C. and Halgren, E. and Fisher, A. and Refai, D.",
volume="143",
number="2",
pages="123-130",
abstract="The effects of cholinergic drugs proposed for treatment of cognitive impairment in normal aging and dementia on divided attention have been little studied in non-human primates. We tested the hypothesis that cholinergic drugs improve spatial divided attention in primates via a computer task requiring simultaneous tracking of two visual targets in three young and two aged healthy bonnet macaques. Task accuracy (number of correct responses) and reaction time (RT) were measured 2 h after administration of either the m1 agonist +/- -cis-2-methyl-spiro(1,3-oxathiolane-5,3')quinuclidine (AF102B; 0.1-2.1 mg/kg IM) or the cholinesterase inhibitor 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroamino-acridine (THA; 0.5-2.0 mg/kg orally). Accuracy increased for four of five monkeys at appropriate doses of one or both cholinomimetics, accompanied in two monkeys by a drop in RT. Responses were less uniform to THA than to AF102B. For the five-monkey group at Best dose, accuracy increased 34% (THA) or 43% (AF102B) above baseline (P<0.05 for both drugs), respectively, with no significant change in RT and with minimal untoward effects. Cholinotherapy may improve divided attention in young and aged healthy primates.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0033-3158",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}