Itameline (RU 47213) is a prodrug with oral and long-lasting cholinergic activity. Itameline is a novel tetrahydropyridine-oxime that is cleaved in vivo to form an active metabolite, RU 35963. RU 35963 is a muscarinic receptor agonist that is nonselective with respect to receptor subtypes. Itameline possesses the capacity to reduce memory deficits induced by an impairment of cholinergic transmission in the rat.