The AMPA receptor modulator S18986 in the prelimbic cortex enhances acquisition and retention of an odor-reward association.

Systemic administration of S18986, a positive allosteric modulator of AMPA receptors, improves cognition. The present study further characterizes the drug's memory-enhancing properties and is the first to investigate its intracerebral effects on learning and memory. The results showed that rats receiving a single dose of S18986 (3 µg/site) into the prelimbic cortex, prior to olfactory discrimination acquisition, exhibited significantly shorter latencies and fewer errors to make the correct response, both in the acquisition and two drug-free retention tests. Such findings corroborate the involvement of glutamate receptors in odor-reward learning and confirm the role of the AMPAkine S18986 as a cognitive enhancer.