Anxiolytic effects of mecamylamine in two animal models of anxiety.

Abstract

Clinical and preclinical evidence suggests that mecamylamine, a nicotinic receptor antagonist, may have anxiolytic properties. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the anxiolytic properties of mecamylamine in rats as measured by the Elevated Plus Maze and the Social Interaction models of anxiety and to determine if manipulation of the testing environment (either brightly lit or dimly lit conditions) influenced the results. Results indicated that mecamylamine had significant anxiolytic effects in both the Elevated Plus Maze and Social Interaction Tests and that these effects were dependent on dose administered and the level of anxiety produced under different testing conditions. If confirmed by further clinical research, nicotinic receptor antagonists like mecamylamine may represent a novel class of anxiolytics.