Effect of olanzapine on scopolamine induced deficits in differential reinforcement of low rate 72 s (DRL-72 s) schedule in rats: Involvement of the serotonergic receptors in restoring the deficits

Scopolamine, a non-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist has widespread central nervous system effects. Muscarinic receptors located in the central nervous system play a vital role in the modulation of impulsivity. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of scopolamine on impulsivity using differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 72-s schedule (DRL-72 s) and to demonstrate the involvement of serotonergic receptors in mediating the effect of olanzapine (atypical antipsychotic) on scopolamine induced impulsivity. Scopolamine impaired the performance of the rats trained under DRL-72 s schedule. Olanzapine reversed the deficits induced by scopolamine. We evaluated the effect of donepezil (cholinesterase inhibitor), SB-742457 (5-HT6 and 5-HT2a antagonist), and haloperidol (typical antipsychotic) in rats challenged with scopolamine in the DRL-72 s schedule to identify the receptor(s) involved in reversing the deficits. SB-742457 partially reversed the deficits, but donepezil and haloperidol did not show any effects on the deficits induced by scopolamine. Olanzapine and SB-742457 shifted the peak location (PkL) towards longer IRT duration, indicating a decrease in motor impulsivity. Modulation of scopolamine-induced impulsivity by olanzapine could be partly due to its antagonistic action at 5-HT2a and 5-HT6 receptors, respectively. Superior effects of olanzapine on impulsivity in schizophrenic patients may be mediated through the antagonism of 5-HT2a and 5-HT6 receptors.