Effects of an ACTH 4--9 related peptide upon intracranial self stimulation and general activity in the rat.
Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were stereotactically implanted with electrodes within the anterior medial forebrain bundle. The rats were trained to respond for intracranial self-stimulation (ICS) and treated with control solution or varying doses of an ACTH 4--9 related synthetic peptide (Org 2766; H-Met(O2)-Glu-His-Phe-D-Lys-Phe-OH). The drug affected ICS as measured in overnight response records, with the highest dose reliably increasing the amount of responding. In a second experiment rats were similarly treated and general activity was assessed. No remarkable changes in activity were present at any tested dose. The findings corroborate previous reports suggesting ACTH-related peptides may be active in a variety of motivated tasks, but less active with respect to general activity.
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012653:Self Stimulation / Q000187:drug effects*
D010446:Peptide Fragments; C028024:ACTH (4-9); D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone