Operant behavior changes norepinephrine metabolism in rat brain.
Rats performing a lever-pressing response for water reward in an operant situation, when compared with control groups, showed an increase in brain norepinephrine metabolism. One control group included rats which were handled and deprived of water in the same way as the experimental group but were not trained to perform the operant task. We conclude that performance in an operant situation affects norepinephrine metabolism.
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D012201:Reward; D014316:Tritium; D014868:Water Deprivation
D014316:Tritium; D009638:Norepinephrine