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].