Evidence for a role of the locus coeruleus noradrenaline system in learning.
The effect of the new noradrenaline (NA) neurotoxin, DSP4, on the acquisition of one-way and two-way active avoidance responses was studied in rats. This treatment caused a marked degeneration of the locus coeruleus NA system and markedly impaired both one- and two-way avoidance acquisition. Both effects were blocked by pretreatment with desipramine, a NA uptake blocking agent. The present findings support the hypothesis that the locus coeruleus NA system in its entire extent may play a role in aversive learning.
D000588:Amines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D001596:Benzylamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000032:analysis; D008125:Locus Coeruleus / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000032:analysis
D000588:Amines; D001596:Benzylamines; D012701:Serotonin; C012102:DSP 4; D003891:Desipramine; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine