title: Hormonal influences on motivation, learning, and memory processes.
abstract: Experiments have shown that the hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenocortical hormones play an important role in the motivational value of environmental cues, in the acquisition of knowledge, and in the long-term memory of learned behavior. In human volunteers, a synthetic fraction of ACTH seems to improve visual memory, enhance alertness, and increase motivation--all without the hormone's usual endocrine effects.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000502:physiology; D005108:Extinction, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009042:Motivation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D014667:Vasopressins; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones