Corticotrophin releasing factor is more potent than some corticotrophin-related peptides in affecting passive avoidance behaviour in rats.
The peptides corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF), ACTH4-10 and alpha-MSH have previously been shown to be behaviourally and neurochemically active. Using a passive avoidance task, we studied the effects of intra-ventricular administration of these peptides (0, 10 or 100 ng/rat) given either immediately following the learning trial, or 1 h prior to retention (24 h post-learning) test. We found that they affected behaviour; in some cases improving and in others disrupting performance. Statistical examination of the data suggests that these substances probably act on arousal mechanisms, in a manner reminiscent of the effects of vasopressin [13, 15].
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects*
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; C011394:ACTH (4-10)