Guanfacine (hydrochloride)

Guanfacine hydrochloride is an orally active noradrenergic α2A agonist and has high selective for the α2A receptor subtype. Guanfacine has effects in producing hypotension and sedation. Guanfacine can be used for the research of a variety of prefrontal cortex (PFC) cognitive disorders, including tourette's syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)^[1][2][3]. In Vitro:Guanfacine (hydrochloride) increases the delay-related neuronal firing needed for working memory on dIPFC neurons at the cellular level^[1][2].
Guanfacine improves PFC cognitive function by inhibiting the production of CAMP, closing HCN channels, and strengthening the PFC networks^[1][2]. In Vivo:Guanfacine (hydrochloride) enhances PFC working memory function in aged monkeys and improves impulse control in monkeys performing a delayed discounting task^[1][2].
Guanfacine improves cognitive performance when infused directly into the rat or monkey PFC^[1][2].
Guanfacine blocks 2A receptors in the monkey dIPFC markedly impairs working memory, behavioral inhibition and greatly reduces persistent neuronal firing^[1][2].