Effects of mecamylamine on flash-evoked potentials, body temperature, and behavior in Long-Evans rats

This experiment examined the effects of mecamylamine, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, on flash-evoked potentials (FEPs) recorded from the visual cortex (VC) and superior colliculus (SC) of chronically implanted male Long-Evans rats, and on body temperature and open field behavior. FEPs were recorded at 20 and 35 min following intraperitoneal injections of saline, and of 0.3, 3.0, and 10.0 mg/kg mecamylamine on separate days. The 0.3 mg/kg dose did not produce significant effects. The amplitude of VC components N30, P48, and P87 increased, N150 and P231 decreased, and P23, N40, N58, and N68 were unchanged following administration of the 10.0 mg/kg dose. In the SC, component P28 was unaffected, P39 was reduced, and N49 was augmented by the 10.0 mg/kg dose. All component peak latencies were increased by the 3.0 and 10.0 mg/kg doses. Significant hypothermia was also produced by the 3.0 and 10.0 mg/kg doses, suggesting that this was the basis for the increased latencies. The 10.0 mg/kg dose produced a significant decrease in movement during the recording sessions. In subsequent open field observations, both line crossings and rearings were reduced by the 3.0 and 10.0 mg/kg doses. The results suggest that endogenous acetylcholine acting on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors plays at most a modest role in producing FEPs recorded from the VC and SC.

Research Highlights
► Mecamylamine (0.3 mg/kg) did not alter FEPs, body temperature or activity in rats.
► 3.0 and 10.0 mg/kg doses increased latencies but reduced behavior and temperature.
► FEP amplitudes in the VC and SC were altered by only the 10 mg/kg dose.
► Acetylcholine working on nAChRs plays at most a modest role in producing FEPs.