[Effect of acute and chronic deprivation of catecholaminergic system activity induced by 6-hydroxydopamine on the behavior of the rat].

On 202 male rats of Wistar line, a study was carried out of the effect of chronic and acute deprivations of the brain CA-systems activity resulting from administration of 6-OHDA on investigating behaviour and learning. Chronic deprivation of CA-systems activity by neonatal administration of 6-OHDA (100 mg/kg subcutaneously) and their acute deprivation by intracerebral administration of 6-OHDA to adult rats (150 mkg in each lateral ventriculus) was accompanied by similar deep changes of behaviour. Both forms of deprivation reduced the investigating activity of the animals in the open field. In both cases, the above 6-OHDA dozes sharply impeded the learning of animals with emotionally negative reinforcement, with no significant influence on learning with emotionally positive reinforcement. Both forms of deprivation of CA-systems activity weakened the reaction of frustration elicited by a sharp reduction of food reinforcement.