Central catecholamine and peripheral noradrenaline depletion by 6-hydroxydopamine and active avoidance learning in rats.
Three experiments are reported on the relation among catecholamine (CA) depletion, plasma corticosterone (11-OHCS) levels, and active aversive learning. A baseline study showed no significant relation beteen resting levels of 11-OHCS and central and/or peripheral CA depletion. On a two-way avoidance learning task, depletion of brain CAs produced a widespread learning deficit. When both central and peripheral CAs were depleted, only escape learning emerged. Similar effects occurred on a one-way task, but differences were not so marked. The findings are discussed in terms of a theory of CA-dependent cues.
D015062:11-Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002946:Cisterna Magna; D004298:Dopamine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004924:Escape Reaction / Q000502:physiology; D006892:Hydroxydopamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology
D015062:11-Hydroxycorticosteroids; D006892:Hydroxydopamines; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine