MONOAMINERGIC INFLUENCES OF CAUDATE-NUCLEUS ON CONDITIONED FOOD-PROCURING REACTION IN RATS

Abstract

Influence of microinjections of monoamines and glutamic acid into the caudate nucleus head on the conditioned food-procuring reaction of rats was studied. Dopamine, noradrenaline and glutamic acid prolong the latency of the reflex, while serotonin reduces it. All the drugs reduce the number of conditioned food-procuring movements. The effects of dopamine are achieved through neuron receptors of the caudate nucleus which are sensitive to haloperidol and chlorpromazine; effects of serotonin are mediated through the D-serotoninoreactive systems, and those of noradrenaline, through the .alpha.-adrenoreactive systems of the neostriatum neurons. The inhibitory effect of glutamic acid is not due to the action on the serotonino-, adreno- or dopamine receptors of caudate units.