Unifiram (Synonyms: DM232)

Unifiram is a nootropic agent.¹ It increases acetylcholine (ACh) release in the rat cerebral cortex in vivo and 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.² It also prevents memory deficits induced by the anticholinergic agent scopolamine, nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine, GABA_B receptor 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)