Unifiram is a nootropic agent.1It increases acetylcholine (ACh) release in the rat cerebral cortexin vivoand induces a long-lasting increase in the amplitude of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in the rat hippocampal CA1 region (EC50= 27 nM). It does not bind to serotonin (5-HT), dopamine, muscarinic, nicotinic, adrenergic, glutamate, histamine, opioid, or GABA receptors at 1 μM. Unifiram (0.1 mg/kg) improves memory in non-memory-impaired rats in a social learning test.2It also prevents memory deficits induced by the anticholinergic agent scopolamine, nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine, GABABreceptor agonist baclofen, or α2-adrenergic receptor agonist clonidine in the passive avoidance test in mice when administered at a dose of 0.01 mg/kg and prevents memory deficits induced by the AMPA/kainate glutamate receptor antagonist NBQX at 0.1 mg/kg.1
1.Romanelli, M.N., Galeotti, N., Ghelardini, C., et al.Pharmacological characterization of DM232 (unifiram) and DM235 (sunifiram), new potent cognition enhancersCNS Drug Rev.12(1)39-52(2006) 2.Ghelardini, C., Galeotti, N., Gualtieri, F., et al.The novel nootropic compound DM232 (unifiram) ameliorates memory impairment in mice and ratsDrug Develop. Res.56(1)23-32(2002)

Unifiram (0.1 mg kg?1 i.p.) was able to prevent amnesia induced by scopolamine (0.8 mg kg?1 i.p.) in the rat Morris watermaze test. In the rat social learning test, Unifiram (0.1 mg kg?1 i.p.) injected in adults rats reduced the duration of active exploration of the familiar partner in the second session of the test. Unifiram, similarly to piracetam, reduced the duration of hypnosis induced by pentobarbital. At the highest effective doses, the investigated compound did not impair motor coordination (rota rod test), nor modified spontaneous (Animex)[2].