Beneficial effects of resveratrol on scopolamine but not mecamylamine induced memory impairment in the passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests in rats

► Resveratrol improved learning and memory in naive animals and in drug-induced models of dementia. ► Centrally acting muscarinic and nicotinic antagonists have dissociable effects on memory processes in rats. ► Treatment with resveratrol might modulate cholinergic neurotransmission and may, consequently, improve cognition. ► Resveratrol could be used safely in healthy people and in patients with dementia.