The role of adrenocorticotropin and norepinephrine in appetitive learning in the rat.
This study examines the involvement of ACTH/4-10 and norepinephrine during training and testing of a complex maze task. Hormones were administered post-trial to eliminate effects on processes other than learning and memory during training and testing sessions. ACTH/4-10, but not NE, facilitates acquisition of an appetitive maze task, but neither affect test performance. Facilitation of acquisition by ACTH/4-10 is discussed within two frameworks. ACTH/4-10 may enhance memory, presumably via a direct action on certain brain cells, resulting in stimulated protein synthesis and modified synaptic transmission. An interaction with serotonin synthesis and metabolism may be involved. Alternatively, during training and testing of a complex maze task, an ACTH-opiate receptor interaction may modify reinforcing properties, thus facilitating acquisition.
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001070:Appetitive Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects*; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; C011394:ACTH (4-10); D009638:Norepinephrine